Garden City University targets learning gaps under revised SHS curriculum

Garden City University (GCU) has launched an academic enrichment initiative to support Senior High School (SHS) students adjusting to Ghana’s revised education curriculum through practical learning, university-level instruction and access to specialised facilities.

The initiative, known as the GCU Pathways Programme, is designed to complement classroom teaching by connecting students with university lecturers and learning resources to strengthen their understanding of selected subjects.

It seeks to address learning difficulties that may arise as students adapt to the revised Ghana Education Service (GES) curriculum, which places greater emphasis on practical application, critical thinking and problem-solving.

The programme will also engage SHS teachers to identify areas where students require additional support and provide targeted interventions to improve their understanding and confidence.

The initiative reflects the strategic vision of Professor Eric K. Ofori, Vice-Chancellor of Garden City University, to position the institution as “An Entrepreneurial GCU for Quality Inclusive Tertiary Education.”

According to him, the initiative seeks to extend learning beyond the traditional classroom through innovation, practical skills development, community engagement and partnerships with secondary schools.

“The GCU Pathways Programme will significantly contribute to helping students adapt to Ghana’s evolving secondary education curriculum, strengthen their academic preparation and expose them to university-level teaching and learning,” he added.

Speaking on the initiative, GCU's Director of Admissions, Shannan Akosua Magee, said the programme was intended to complement, rather than replace, the work of teachers.

“GCU’s goal is not to replace what teachers are doing in the classroom but to support them where schools tell us they need help,” she said.

“As students adjust to the new GES curriculum, we want to bring our lecturers, our laboratories and practical teaching methods closer to them so that they build confidence in their subjects and see how what they learn connects to university programmes and future careers,” she added.

Under the programme, participating students will have opportunities to interact with university lecturers, engage in practical learning activities and tour laboratories and other teaching facilities. These activities are expected to help them connect classroom concepts with real-world applications and potential career pathways.

GCU has already piloted the initiative at Prempeh College, where about 138 Business students benefited from supplementary instruction in Accounting and Business Management. The university’s Business faculty led the academic support sessions.

Following the pilot, the university plans to extend the programme to five other SHSs in the Ashanti Region, with participating schools exploring subject areas relevant to their students’ needs.

The schools include Opoku Ware Senior High School, where the focus will be on Health Sciences and Business; Bosomtwe STEM Girls’ Senior High School, which will explore ICT, Information Science and Python Programming; and Ejisu Secondary Technical School, where support is proposed in Business, ICT and Information Science.

Kumasi Wesley Girls’ Senior High School is also expected to benefit from support in ICT, Information Science, Python Programming and digital skills. The fifth school is Serwaa Nyarko Senior High School.

The expansion is expected to broaden access to university-based academic support and strengthen collaboration between secondary and tertiary institutions.

Through the GCU Pathways Programme, the university aims to contribute to a smoother transition for SHS students under the revised curriculum while helping schools identify and address learning gaps before they affect students’ academic progress.