The National Council of Parent-Teacher Associations welcomes the teaching of Chinese and Arabic as potential additions to Ghana’s educational opportunities.
It says both languages have significant cultural, diplomatic, economic and international relevance and could provide Ghanaian students with additional opportunities in an increasingly interconnected world.
However, the Council recommends that their introduction should be carefully structured, beginning with appropriate pilot programmes and the deployment of qualified teachers.
The NCPTA stresses that Chinese and Arabic should complement, rather than undermine, the foundational importance of Ghanaian languages in the education system.
“Chinese and Arabic should complement rather than undermine the foundational importance of English, French and Ghanaian languages,” Mr Raphael Gapson said at a press conference on August 27.
The Council says Ghana’s education system must strike a balance between global competitiveness and national identity.
The Association is calling for stronger investment in the teaching and promotion of Ghanaian languages and culture in the country’s education system.
The Council says promoting Ghanaian languages must go beyond policy statements and should be supported with the necessary teachers, learning materials and assessment systems.
BY ERICKA JUMAA KORANKYE
