When it comes to education and schools in Ghana, most expats find the national curriculum to be limited, teaching methods outdated and the standard of facilities lower than what they might be used to back home. For these reasons, expats tend to bypass public schooling options in Ghana and instead send their children to an international school.
Public schools in Ghana
School is compulsory and free for children aged between 4 and 15, and free for senior secondary as well. Pre-tertiary school is divided into four phases:
- Preschool: ages 3 to 6
- Primary school: ages 6 to 12
- Junior secondary school: ages 12 to 15
- Senior secondary school: ages 15 to 18
As the language of instruction in Ghana’s public schools is English, expat children with an English-speaking background are unlikely to face a language barrier.
The teaching focus in Ghanaian public schools is often on learning by memorisation and repetition. Although this can be effective for younger children, most expats will find the lack of focus on individual thinking and problem-solving somewhat limiting. Resources in public schooling are limited and may not meet the standards that new arrivals might expect.
Private schools in Ghana
Private schools in Ghana receive both governmental and private funds. There are public-private partnerships with international organisations, private institutions and individuals, and with churches and NGOs, which contribute to funding, infrastructure maintenance, furniture, and technical assistance. Communities and parents participate, paying tuition fees and organising food and transport for their children.
These schools tend to offer the same national curriculum but at a slightly higher standard because of the additional funding and support. Some schools are rooted in religion with a Christian-based academic environment, and there are also opportunities for Montessori education.
International schools in Ghana
Due to the large expat community in Accra, the city has a range of private bilingual international schools on offer. Most of these schools teach the American, British (English National Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE and A Levels) or International Baccalaureate curricula, and there are also Canadian, French, and German schools. They can provide excellent opportunities for further study and career development.
For their prestigious curricula, well-maintained campuses, and expanded offering of extracurriculars, international schools charge hefty fees, and expats should take care to negotiate tuition allowances in their employment contracts or to negotiate their salaries accordingly.
Although fees are high, international schools ease the transition for expat children, allowing them to make friends with students from various cultures and nationalities, but in similar situations to theirs, allowing a diverse environment to grow up in. Similarly, this provides opportunities for parents in similar circumstances to expand their networks.
For families in larger cities such as Accra and Kumasi, finding an international school is unlikely to be a problem. Those farther from these cities may need to settle for a boarding school or homeschooling.
International Schools in Ghana
Special educational needs in Ghana
Ghana’s Inclusive Education Policy envisions a path for all children to receive a fully supportive and inclusive educational experience. The government, private sector and NGOs are working towards inclusive education and providing teachers with assistive devices and training opportunities.
Despite the push for mainstream education, many children with special needs are placed in segregated special schools, but parents may prefer more inclusive options. Most often, these can be found in non-government schooling. International schools may offer varying levels of support for children with disabilities, and expats should contact individual schools for specific information.
Homeschooling in Ghana
The law on homeschooling in Ghana is not explicit, but it is, by and large, considered not illegal, with a small but growing number of families opting for this. Expat parents may find homeschooling an alternative to lower-quality public schools and extremely pricey international schools.
Numerous associations and parent groups can be found in Ghana. Parents should ideally connect with these networks to access resources and receive first-hand advice.
Tutors in Ghana
For parents who require extra tuition for their children, there is no shortage of tutors in Ghana. There are many private tutoring companies, especially in and around large cities. Schools can often suggest good tutors in the area, but tutor companies can be found with a quick search on a search engine, on social media, or by word of mouth.
Tutoring can be centre or home-based and can help students who struggle with particular subjects, build self-confidence or just assist in maintaining focus, and it can be a great benefit close to exam time. Tutors can also help expat children pick up a new language faster or maintain their mother tongue.