The government, through Cabinet, has granted approval to the Ministry of Education to implement the Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) program in Ghana.
This initiative is designed to provide enhanced and accelerated education for children who demonstrate exceptional abilities and talents.
The GATE program will focus on learners with extraordinary skills and potential for high achievement, offering specialised educational opportunities to meet their unique needs.
These children often excel in areas such as high-level intelligence, specific aptitudes, creative thinking, visual and performing arts, leadership, athletics and mechanical skills.
While GATE is a priority in many educational systems globally, it has not yet been introduced in Ghana’s public or private education sectors.
Furthermore, the Education Strategic Plan (2018-2030) does not currently include GATE as a strategy for socio-economic transformation.
This omission risks overlooking the needs of high-ability children, who have the potential to become future leaders in fields like Science, Invention, Poetry and Entrepreneurship.
To address this gap, Education Minister Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, has submitted a proposal for the introduction of GATE education.
SPECIALIZED SERVICE
The proposal underscores the importance of providing specialised services and activities beyond the standard curriculum to nurture exceptional talents.
Dr. Adutwum emphasises that by challenging these gifted children, Ghana can unlock their full potential and accelerate progress towards reducing inequality and advancing economic development.
Countries that introduced GATE education in the 1960s and 1970s have benefited significantly from maximising socio-economic development through innovations and inventions.
Ghana can follow suit by harnessing the potential of its gifted and talented youth. The Ministry expects the GATE program to have major socio-economic impacts across the country.
Implementation will begin with introducing career pathways and new course offerings for Sciences and Arts from junior high to senior high school level.
The Ghana Education Service (GES) and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Service will implement GATE, leveraging their special education divisions’ expertise.
The proposal recommends supporting GES and TVET in implementing GATE rather than establishing a separate agency.
This approach will ensure efficient use of public funds and avoid confusion among agencies and the populace.
IMPACT COMMUNITIES
GATE programs will be organized to positively impact disadvantaged communities, including rural and Zongo communities.
Opportunity gaps for rural gifted students will be addressed through identification, assessment, programming, staffing, professional development and policy.
Initially, newly established schools at the JHS and SHS levels will be designated GATE schools, enrolling 100% GATE students.
Subsequently, qualified GATE students will be enrolled in GATE programs at their current schools, receiving the same enriching experiences as their counterparts in GATE-designated schools.
The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NaCCA) will develop GATE pathways curriculum, instruction and assessment, establish guidelines for student selection, create opportunities for under-represented groups and develop guidelines for GATE teacher training and selection.
