Education Ministry Refutes Claims Sector Minister Approved Controversial SHS Manual
The Ministry of Education has dismissed claims that Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu authorised a Senior High School (SHS) teacher manual containing definitions of gender identity that allegedly conflict with Ghanaian cultural values.
In a statement released on Saturday, January 17, the Ministry described a report by the Centre for Democratic Movement as false, noting that it wrongly suggested Mr Iddrisu approved the Physical Education and Health (Elective) Teacher Manual for SHS Year Two in 2024. “The Ministry categorically states that this allegation is entirely baseless and false,” the statement said.
The Ministry clarified that the development of the manual began years before Mr Iddrisu assumed office. In 2021, it entered a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Transforming Teaching, Education and Learning (T-TEL) to provide technical advisory services, research support, and project management for curriculum enhancement nationwide.
According to the Ministry, the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NaCCA) led the curriculum development process with support from T-TEL. The effort drew on the expertise of over 300 Ghanaian professionals, including secondary school teachers, university academics, and industry specialists. “The process involved extensive consultations with stakeholders, rigorous review, and pilot testing before finalising all teacher manuals and learning resources,” the Ministry noted.
It emphasised that the Physical Education and Health teacher manual was developed and produced before Mr Iddrisu’s appointment as Education Minister, meaning he had no role in its content or approval.
Since assuming office, Mr Iddrisu has overseen only the creation of Professional Learning Communities (PLC) handbooks, which provide structured platforms for teachers to share best practices. The Ministry stressed that these handbooks contain no ambiguous references to gender definitions.
The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to national educational values “The Ministry remains dedicated to transparency, accountability, and full adherence to Ghana’s educational policies and cultural standards,” the statement concluded.
The Ministry urged the public to exercise caution when engaging with unverified claims.
