Education Leaders Call for Major Policy Shifts to Expand Access and Enhance Practical Training

Ghana’s education sector is facing renewed calls for reform as stakeholders advocate for more inclusive admission policies at the secondary level and a radical shift toward practical, problem-solving curricula in higher education. The discussions come in the wake of the 2026 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) results, which saw approximately 55,000 candidates excluded from the Senior High School (SHS) placement process due to current stringent requirements. Kwesi Kwarteng, a member of the NPP Communications Team and former Public Relations Officer for the Ministry of Education, has urged the government to reevaluate the criteria that mandate passing both English Language and Mathematics for SHS entry. He argues that the current policy creates unnecessary barriers, suggesting a return to more inclusive standards where competence in at least one core subject could allow students to progress.

While the debate over secondary school access intensifies, experts in the tertiary and technology sectors are highlighting a critical gap between academic qualifications and workforce readiness. During the launch of the 2026 Achievers in Technology (AIT) Ghana Fellowship on September 4, Professor Isaac Wiafe of the University of Ghana asserted that universities must pivot from training 'job seekers' to producing 'problem-solvers.' Prof. Wiafe proposed making practical experience a mandatory component of university education, noting that many students struggle not from a lack of theoretical knowledge but from an inability to apply it to real-world challenges. He called for new assessment methods that reflect advancements in artificial intelligence and the changing needs of global industries.

Supporting this call for practical evolution, Kenneth Nelson, CEO of Farm360 Global, emphasized that academic degrees alone are no longer sufficient in a technology-driven economy. Speaking at the same fellowship launch, Nelson highlighted mentorship and hands-on project work as the primary drivers for professional growth. He encouraged young Ghanaians to seek out practical experience to navigate the evolving job market effectively. The consensus among these leaders suggests that while expanding access to education is vital for national development, the quality of that education must be measured by a student's ability to innovate and adapt rather than their ability to meet rigid standardized testing requirements.

Ultimately, these proposed reforms aim to create a more resilient educational pipeline that supports students from the BECE level through to professional life. By relaxing entry barriers for secondary education and institutionalizing practical internships and mentorship at the university level, advocates believe Ghana can better equip its youth for the complexities of the modern workforce. As the government considers these recommendations, the focus remains on ensuring that educational policies foster opportunity and practical competence in an increasingly competitive global landscape.