Make Ghanaian dialects core subjects again

Ghanaian language teachers have called for the re-introduction of Ghanaian language as core subject in the senior secondary schools curriculum.

In a resolution at the end of a two-day workshop in Kumasi at the weekend the participants said teacher-training colleges should adequately prepare students in Ghanaian languages to be able to handle the subject effectively.

The 35 participants were drawn from Teacher Training Colleges in Ashanti, Brong-Ahafo, Eastern, Central and Western Regions.

The resolution said since the abolition of Ghanaian language as a core subject and made an elective one, it has received very low recognition and therefore difficult to teach as most students enter the training colleges with little or no knowledge in the subject area.

It called for the full and strict implementation of the language policy in the lower primary schools because teachers have neglected the use of Ghanaian languages as the medium of instruction at that level.

It suggested that teacher trainees should be posted to schools where they can effectively use their local languages to teach. The government, the resolution said, should provide adequate and relevant text-books, teachers' handbooks and other eaching and learning materials on Ghanaian languages for effective teaching.

It urged the Ghana Education Service (GES) to restrain teachers from punishing pupils and students at the various educational levels who use Ghanaian language outside the classroom.

The resolution asked the public to accord the Ghanaian language and culture the respect and attention they deserve in order not to make children aliens in their own home.