New Curriculum Contributed to High Failure Rates — Economist John A. Amponsah

Economist, Financial and Investment Analyst, and Chartered Institute of Bankers (CIB) member, John A. Amponsah, has attributed the high failure rate among final-year students to challenges associated with the government’s newly introduced curriculum.

Speaking on Angel FM in Kumasi, Mr. Amponsah argued that the transition to the new curriculum has significantly affected students’ performance, particularly in final examinations.

According to him, the revised curriculum places new demands on learners, yet many students struggle with creativity and the practical application of knowledge when answering examination questions.

“The kids lack creativity and applicability in answering questions since the new curriculum makes certain requirements of them,” he stated.

Mr. Amponsah, who is also involved in educational book writing, explained that the changes have compelled authors and publishers to revise academic materials to align with the updated standards.

“As book writers, we have to make changes in our books so that students can practice and be able to solve final exam questions,” he said.

He emphasized that these adjustments must span all educational levels, from Kindergarten (KG) to Senior High School (SHS), to ensure continuity and proper academic preparation.

However, he noted that the review process has become more demanding.

“This has made our writing process much more rigorous. We now spend more time sourcing the right materials to meet the curriculum requirements,” he explained.

Mr. Amponsah referenced Bloom’s Taxonomy, an educational framework that emphasizes higher-order thinking skills such as analysis, evaluation, and creation, suggesting that its application within the curriculum may require improved teacher preparation and resource alignment.

He called for broader stakeholder engagement to ensure that students, teachers, and educational material developers are adequately equipped to adapt to the new academic standards.