SEPTEMBER 1, 1987: THE JUNIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL (JSS) SYSTEM COMMENCED

Ghanaian JSS students completing an examination

The 1987 Junior Secondary-School Reform in Ghana: Vocational or Pre-Vocational in Nature?

The secondary-education system in Ghana was reorganised in the early 1980s. The present study addresses one part of this reform: the attempt to introduce a more vocationally oriented curriculum in junior secondary schools. The findings on which this study is based are drawn from interviews at several levels as well as from documentary analysis and case studies. It is shown how planned changes were not clearly conceptualised and how a serious lack of communication has continued to exist between the various elements of the education system. Classroom observation also reveals that the ideas originally laid out in the National Education Policy-such as integrated approaches to subject matter, student involvement, and problem- oriented teaching methods-have not been effectively implemented by teachers.

Free and compulsory primary education was introduced to Ghana with the Education Act of 1961. This led to a surge in school enrollment and challenged the nation to overcome a scarcity of qualified teachers. From the enactment of the 1961 policy until 1987, primary school consisted of 10 years of education in Ghana. The 1987 act reduced this to nine years with the years of “junior secondary school” (JSS) designated as grades 7 through 9. This was implemented due to findings in the Dzobo Committee report of 1973, which stated that intermediate education in Ghana should consist of more vocational, science, agricultural, and technical courses to align with national development goals. Upon completion of JSS, students receive a Basic Education Certificate (BECE) signifying satisfactory grade-level mastery of subjects including English language, Ghanaian language and culture, social studies, integrated science, mathematics, design and technology, information and communication technology, French (optional), religious and moral education. Typically students matriculate to secondary school at the age of 15.