New SHS/TVET System: 2024 BECE graduates will learn JHS subjects in SHS1: New SHS Format, Subjects, and More

Do you know that per the New SHS/TVET System to be introduced in SHS in 2024, 2024 BECE graduates will learn JHS subjects under the core curriculum in SHS1? Do you know their SHS1 will be a continuation of their basic school lessons?

Do you know anything about the new SHS/TVET and the changes to expect in October 2024 in terms of the format, subjects, and duration of secondary education? We have been digging for the facts out there, and this is what we found. Find all the answers here.

With the introduction of the new curriculum for JHS (Basic 7 to 10), Ghana’s secondary education system will change in 2024 when students in Basic 9 who are currently preparing for the BECE in July enrol in senior high school.

Format Of The New SHS/TVET to Expect

The last group of SHS students to graduate under the previous system is currently in SHS1. When the current JHS3 (Basic 9) students graduate from JHS, they will not necessarily be in SHS1, as we used to know it. Instead, they will be in Basic 10 but in the SHS they are placed in.

Per the new curriculum for JHS1-JHS3 (Basic 7-9), students who complete JHS will have to continue studying their basic curriculum at the Senior High school. All JHS curricula released by NaCCA for JHS have a basic 10 curriculum.

This time, they will be known as Basic 10 students and will study the final part of all the subjects they were introduced to in Basic 7-9 in junior high school.

After sitting for the BECE in July 2024, those who make it to SHS will continue their basic education indirectly for another year in SHS as a basic 10 student. This one more year would have best fit the basic school system to allow JHS students to spend four years in JHS before moving to the SHS; however, most of our schools do not have extra classrooms and facilities to accommodate these students, hence they have to move to SHS1 while learning JHS subjects and curriculum.

When programmes and their subjects of the New SHS/TVET  will be studied by students

After this one year, students will choose their specializations. What this means is that a student who gains admission into SHS/TVET after the 2024 BECE will not start studying programme-specific subjects.

For instance, if a student is placed in Presec-Legan as a business student, he will study all topics of the Basic 10 common core curriculum for one year in PRESEC Legon before being introduced to programme-specific subjects like accountancy, cost accounting, and business management, among others. The same applies to students who will gain admission to SHS as General Arts, Science, and Home Economics students, among others.

READ: 85 New BECE Social Studies Questions Never Asked By WAEC

SHS Duration issues and concerns under the new SHS/TVET system

In other jurisdictions, such as Nigeria, secondary school students prepare for the WASSCE for at least three years and at most four years.

In Ghana, students are currently learning both core subjects and electives for only two and a half years for the WASSCE for school candidates.

With the introduction of the basic 10 curriculum for SHS1 students, if the year students spend in SHS does not increase, the chances of teachers being able to complete the SHS curriculum within 2 years before the students take the WASSCE will be limited.

However, if Ghana intends to introduce its own specific examination for accessing SHS3 students for tertiary institution admissions, then that may not be an issue; however, how grounded will students be in their programme-specific subjects to be ready for tertiary education?

Another possible option will be to increase the time spent in SHS by at least one year. That will take the SHS duration to almost four years, which will be long enough to get students to complete the common core curriculum for basic 10 and also study their programme-specific subjects towards the WASSCE.

READ: 2023 Private WASSCE results for Ghana projected to be released soon

One key feature worth noting about the New SHS/TVET from October 2024 is the STEM programmes to be introduced and the strategic shift in courses, programmes, and subjects to ensure Ghana’s education system meets the growing demand for STEM-related programmes, which will prepare more of Ghana’s SHS and TVET graduates to go for STEM-related programmes at the university level.

The MoE is expected to throw more light on these issues as we inch closer to their implementation at the SHS level; however, the GES and MoE have started series of training programmes for SHS teachers to get them ready for the rollout of the curriculum in October 2024

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