Education Minister Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum has expressed serious concerns about how students are taught and educated in Ghana and across the African continent.
He came to the conclusion that current educational practices do not promote critical thinking and thoughtful questioning in students.
He claimed that in a time when people are independently developing innovative ideas and producing amazing things, this condition cannot guarantee the 21st century development that is necessary.
Dr. Adutwum made these remarks at the “Transforming Education’ Summit at the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday, September 22nd, 2022.
The Member of Parliament for Bosomtwe further said, “I went to schools upon schools and I spoke with some students. Whenever I finish speaking with them, I ask, do you have a question for me? And to my dismay, no hand goes up. A hand is yet to go up in all my encounters in Ghanaian classrooms.
“We have tamed the children, we just want them to write down what we tell them. On the day of exam, they should put down what we have told them and say, you are the best student the country has seen.
“That kind of education system will not transform Ghana. This kind of education system is not going to give us the critical thinking individuals, especially since we are in the 21st Century.”
He added, “you can’t memorize your way out of poverty, but you can critically think and innovate out of poverty.
“So Ghana schools, African schools have to begin to take a serious look at what I will call assertive curriculum, a curriculum that empowers the African child to ask questions and challenge the status quo.”
He continued by saying that “no country can achieve sustained economic growth while ingrained poverty and learning and skill disparities harm human capital.”
To rewire education for people and the planet, he, therefore, urged everyone to work together across sectors, levels, and stakeholders.
Additionally, Dr. Adutwum promoted cooperation between all countries, international organizations, and the corporate sector to address the world’s educational concerns jointly.
Source: The Independent Ghana