Subject Combinations

& Learning Areas for

SHS/SHTS and STEM

Date: 8th July 2024

 Upon
entering
General Arts
SHS,
students Science
will
choose STEM
from
Senior High nine (9) Applied Technology
Learning
School Learning Areas: Home Economics
Areas
Business Studies
Agriculture
Art
Languages
 Flexible Subject Options and Integration
The choice of learning areas depends on the schools’
capacities, strengths, and focus areas.

Learners will graduate with a minimum of 7 subjects (4 core

and 3 electives) and a maximum of 9 subjects (4 core and 5
electives) to be externally assessed through the WASSCE,
providing a clear benchmark for academic achievement.
Learners can choose to study extra subjects for one or two
years instead of the full three years. These subjects will be
assessed in school, and the results will be included in the
transcripts for tertiary admissions.
 Expanded Subject Combination
Flexibility

The Ministry of Education recognizes

Learners have much more freedom
that the precise number of subject
than is currently the case to combine
combinations a school can offer
different subjects around their
depends upon its teachers, facilities,
chosen learning area. This provides
and focused areas. As such, it is up
learners with more flexible options
to individual schools to make this
to pursue different career options at
guidance work for them based on
the tertiary level.
their own unique situation.
 Cont…

Schools are empowered to make

decisions regarding specific electives,
such as making them compulsory for
Year One ONLY, Year One and Two, or Similarly, if a school has a strong
FOR THE FULL DURATION OF THE tradition in Business Studies or
PROGRAMME. For instance, a school sufficient teachers to make learning a
with a strong tradition and track language compulsory, they are free to
record in Agriculture can choose to do so.
make it a mandatory subject for Year
One learners or the entire
programme.
 • To ensure flexibility, certain subjects under the previous
programmes, such as Home Economics and Business Studies, have
been merged into one or two subjects. For example, Home
Economics now covers Management in Living, Clothing and Textiles,
and Food and Nutrition as major strands.

• Business Studies is a single, combined subject in Year One, and then,

Enhanced in Years Two and Three, it is divided into two subjects: i.) Business
Management, and ii.) Accounting.

Subject • Learners will now be able to combine Home Economics or Business

Studies with other subject combinations, which was not possible
Flexibility before.

• Subjects under the Visual Arts programme have been merged to

and form two distinct subjects: Arts and Design Studio and Arts and
Design Foundation. Arts and Design Studio covers Painting, Textiles,
Ceramics, Sculpture, and Graphic Design, while Arts and Design
Integration Foundation focuses on fundamental principles of drawing, art and
design.

• Applied Technology covers Automotive Technology, Building

Construction Technology, Electrical and Electronics Technology,
Metal Technology, and Woodwork Technology. Design and
Communications Technology (Technical Drawing) equips students
with essential skills, knowledge, and competencies applicable to
Applied Technology, Arts and Design, Home Economics, and
Engineering.

• This subject encompasses conceptual drawing, including freehand

sketches, graphic communications, and extended drawing. All these
aspects will be covered in Year One, and learners then have the
opportunity to specialize in Years Two and Three.
 Intervention
Subjects

The new curriculum makes room for

students who needs extra support in
English and Mathematics to do
Intervention English and Intervention
Mathematics, to help boost their
proficiency levels.
GROUP A (MAIN CORE) GROUP B (SCHOOL-DESIGNATED CORE) these are GROUP C (ADDITIONAL
elective subjects which individual schools can ELECTIVES)
choose to make core subjects if they so wish
1. Mathematics 1. Agriculture 1. Art and Design Studio
2. Social Studies 2. Additional Mathematics 2. Applied Technology
3. English Language 3. PEH (elective) 3. Design & Communication
Technology
4. General Science 4. Robotics
4. Home Economics
5. PEH (Core but not 5. Engineering
externally examinable) 5. Performing Arts
6. Aviation & Aerospace
6. Biology
7. Biomedical Science
7. Chemistry
8. Manufacturing
8. Computing
9. Agricultural Science
9. Physics
10. ICT
10. Economics
11. RME
12. French 11. Geography

13. Ghanaian Languages 12. Government

14. Literature in English 13. History

15. Art and Design Foundation 14. Religious Studies

16. Business Studies 15. Arabic

LEARNING AREA ONE: SCIENCE
GROUP A (CORE) GROUP B (SCIENCE GROUP C (ADDITIONAL GROUP D (HUMANITIES
ELECTIVES) ELECTIVES) ELECTIVES)
For every learner who has Each learner must do a Learners may also choose ONE Learners may also choose ONE
selected ‘Science’ as their MINIMUM OF TWO AND OR TWO of the subjects below. of the subjects below.
Learning Area the subjects below MAXIMUM OF FOUR of the
are MANDATORY. subjects above.
1. Mathematics 1. Agriculture 1. ICT 1. Economics
2. Social Studies 2. Biology 2. Art and Design Studio 2. Geography
3. English Language 3. Chemistry 3. Applied Technology 3. Government
4. PEH (core) (not externally 4. Computing 4. Design & Communication 4. History
examinable) 5. Physics Technology 5. Religious Studies
6. Additional Mathematics 5. Home Economics 6. Ghanaian Languages
7. PEH (elective) 6. Performing Arts 7. Arabic
8. Robotics 7. Business Studies 8. French
9. Engineering 8. Art and Design Foundation 9. Literature in English
10. Aviation & Aerospace 9. RME
11. Agricultural Science

In addition, learners who have been identified as needing support following their initial English and Mathematics assessment are required to
offer one or both of Intervention English and Intervention Mathematics. These will have to be taken instead of one or two of the electives listed
above.
LEARNING AREA TWO: GENERAL ARTS
GROUP A (CORE) GROUP B (GENERAL ARTS GROUP C (ADDITIONAL GROUP D (SCIENCE
ELECTIVES) ELECTIVES) ELECTIVES)
For every learner who has Each learner must do a Learners may also choose ONE Learners may also choose ONE
selected ‘General Arts’ as their MINIMUM OF TWO and OR TWO of the subjects below. of the subjects below.
Learning Area the subjects below MAXIMUM OF FOUR of the
are MANDATORY. subjects below.
1. Mathematics 1. Economics 1. ICT 1. Agriculture
2. Social Studies 2. Geography 2. Applied Technology 2. Biology
3. English Language 3. Government 3. Design & Communication 3. Chemistry
4. General Science 4. History Technology 4. Computing
5. PEH (core) (not 5. Religious Studies 4. Art and Design 5. Physics
externally examinable) 6. Literature in English Foundation 6. Additional Mathematics
5. Art and Design Studio 7. PEH (elective)
6. Home Economics 8. Agricultural Science
7. Performing Arts
8. Business Studies
9. Ghanaian Languages
10. Arabic
11. French

In addition, learners who have been identified as needing support following their initial English and Mathematics assessment are required to
offer one or both of Intervention English and Intervention Mathematics. These will have to be taken instead of one or two of the electives listed
above.
LEARNING AREA THREE: BUSINESS
GROUP A (CORE) GROUP B (BUSINESS GROUP C (ADDITIONAL GROUP D (SCIENCE
ELECTIVES) ELECTIVES) ELECTIVES)
For every learner who has Each learner must do a Learners may also choose ONE Learners may also choose ONE
selected ‘Business’ as their MINIMUM OF THREE AND OR TWO of the subjects below. of the subjects below.
Learning Area the subjects below MAXIMUM OF FIVE of the
are MANDATORY subjects below.
1. Mathematics In Year One all students MUST 1. Geography 1. Agriculture
2. Social Studies do: 2. Government 2. Biology
3. English Language 1. Business Studies 3. History 3. Chemistry
4. General Science 4. Religious Studies 4. Physics
5. PEH (not externally Then in Years Two and Three 5. Literature in English 5. PEH (elective)
examinable) they MUST do the following: 6. Applied Technology 6. Agricultural Science
7. Computing
1. Business Management 8. Design & Communication
2. Accounting Technology
9. Art and Design
And between ONE and THREE Foundation
of the following: 10. Art and Design Studio
11. Home Economics
1. Economics 12. Performing Arts
2. ICT 13. Ghanaian Languages
3. Additional Mathematics 14. Arabic
15. French

In addition, learners who have been identified as needing support following their initial English and Mathematics assessment are required to
offer one or both of Intervention English and Intervention Mathematics. These will have to be taken instead of one or two of the electives listed
above.
LEARNING AREA FOUR: APPLIED TECHNOLOGY
GROUP A (CORE) GROUP B (APPLIED GROUP C (ADDITIONAL GROUP D (HUMANITIES
TECHNOLOGY ELECTIVES) ELECTIVES) ELECTIVES)
For every learner who has Each learner must do a MINIMUM OF Learners may also choose ONE Learners may also choose
selected ‘Applied Technology’ TWO AND MAXIMUM OF FOUR OR TWO of the subjects below. ONE or TWO of the
as their Learning Area the of the subjects below. subjects below.
subjects below are
MANDATORY
1. Mathematics Each learner MUST do the following: 1. Agriculture 1. Geography
2. Social Studies 1. Design & Communication 2. Biology 2. Economics
3. English Language Technology (MANDATORY) 3. Chemistry 3. Government
4. General Science 4. Computing 4. History
5. PEH (not externally ONE of the following: 5. PEH (elective) 5. Religious Studies
examinable) 1. Applied Technology 6. Home Economics 6. Literature in English
(Automobile and Metal 7. Computing 7. Ghanaian Languages
Technology) 8. Business Studies 8. Arabic
2. Applied Technology (Building 9. Art and Design Studio 9. French
Construction and Wood 10. Home Economics
Technology) 11. Performing Arts
3. Applied Technology (Electrical 12. Agricultural Science
and Electronic Technology)

PLUS ONE or TWO of the following:

1. ICT
2. Physics
3. Additional Mathematics
4. Art and Design Foundation
In addition, learners who have been identified as needing support following their initial English and Mathematics assessment are required to
offer one or both of Intervention English and Intervention Mathematics. These will have to be taken instead of one or two of the electives listed
above.
LEARNING AREA FIVE: HOME ECONOMICS
GROUP A (CORE) GROUP B (HOME GROUP C (ADDITIONAL GROUP D (HUMANITIES
ECONOMICS ELECTIVES) ELECTIVES) ELECTIVES)
For every learner who has Each learner must do a Learners may also choose ONE Learners may also choose ONE
selected ‘Home Economics’ as MINIMUM OF TWO AND OR TWO of the above subjects. of the above subjects
their Learning Area the subjects MAXIMUM OF FOUR of the
below are MANDATORY subjects above.

1. Mathematics Each learner MUST do the 1. Applied Technology 1. Geography

2. Social Studies following: 2. Business Studies 2. Government
3. English Language 3. Art and Design 3. History
4. General Science 1. Home Economics Foundation 4. Religious Studies
5. PEH (not externally 4. Art and Design Studio 5. Literature in English
examinable) And one, two or three of the 5. Performing Arts 6. Ghanaian Languages
following: 6. Chemistry 7. Arabic
7. Physics 8. French
1. Biology 8. Additional Mathematics 9. Economics
2. Design & Communication 9. ICT 10. Computing
Technology 10. Agricultural Science
3. PEH (elective)
4. Agriculture

In addition, learners who have been identified as needing support following their initial English and Mathematics assessment are required to
offer one or both of Intervention English and Intervention Mathematics. These will have to be taken instead of one or two of the electives listed
above.
LEARNING AREA SIX: ART
GROUP A (CORE) GROUP B (ART ELECTIVES) GROUP C (ADDITIONAL GROUP D (SCIENCE
ELECTIVES) ELECTIVES)
For every learner who has Each learner must do a Learners may also choose ONE Learners may also choose ONE
selected ‘Art’ as their Learning MINIMUM OF TWO AND OR TWO of the subjects below. of the subjects below.
Area the subjects below are MAXIMUM OF FOUR of the
MANDATORY. subjects below.
1. Mathematics Each learner MUST do the 1. Applied Technology 1. Agriculture
2. Social Studies following: 2. Home Economics 2. Biology
3. English Language 1. Art and Design 3. Business Studies 3. Chemistry
4. General Science Foundation 4. Economics 4. Computing
5. PEH (not externally 5. Geography 5. Physics
examinable) And ONE, TWO or THREE of 6. Government 6. Additional Mathematics
the following: 7. History 7. PEH (elective)
8. Religious Studies 8. Agricultural Science
1. Art and Design Studio 9. Literature in English
2. Performing Arts 10. Ghanaian Languages
3. Design & Communication 11. Arabic
Technology 12. French
4. ICT

In addition, learners who have been identified as needing support following their initial English and Mathematics assessment are required to
offer one or both of Intervention English and Intervention Mathematics. These will have to be taken instead of one or two of the electives listed
above.
LEARNING AREA SEVEN: AGRICULTURE
GROUP A (CORE) GROUP B (AGRICULTURE GROUP C (ADDITIONAL GROUP D (HUMANITIES
ELECTIVES) ELECTIVES) ELECTIVES)
For every learner who has In addition to Agriculture each Learners may also choose ONE, Learners may also choose ONE
selected ‘Agriculture’ as their learner must do a MINIMUM TWO or THREE of the above of the above subjects
Learning Area the subjects OF ONE AND MAXIMUM subjects.
below are MANDATORY OF THREE of the subjects
below.
1. Mathematics Each learner MUST do the 1. ICT 1. Economics
2. Social Studies following: 2. Applied Technology 2. Geography
3. English Language 3. Home Economics 3. Government
4. General Science 1. Agriculture 4. Business Studies 4. History
5. PEH (not externally 5. RME 5. Literature in English
examinable) In addition to ONE, TWO or 6. Art and Design Foundation 6. Religious Studies
THREE of the following: 7. Art and Design Studio
8. Design & Communication
1. Chemistry Technology
2. Physics 9. Performing Arts
3. Biology 10. Ghanaian Languages
4. Computing 11. French
5. Additional Mathematics 12. Arabic

In addition, learners who have been identified as needing support following their initial English and Mathematics assessment are required to
offer one or both of Intervention English and Intervention Mathematics. These will have to be taken instead of one or two of the electives listed
above.
LEARNING AREA EIGHT: LANGUAGES
GROUP A (CORE) GROUP B (LANGUAGES GROUP C (ADDITIONAL GROUP D (SCIENCE
ELECTIVES) ELECTIVES) ELECTIVES)
For every learner who has Each learner must do a Learners may also choose ONE, Learners may also choose ONE
selected ‘Languages’ as their MINIMUM OF ONE AND TWO or THREE of the subjects of the subjects below.
Learning Area the subjects MAXIMUM OF THREE of below.
below are MANDATORY the subjects below.
1. Mathematics 1. Ghanaian Languages 1. ICT 1. Agriculture
2. Social Studies 2. French 2. Applied Technology 2. Biology
3. English Language 3. Arabic 3. Home Economics 3. Chemistry
4. General Science 4. Literature in English 4. Business Studies 4. Computing
5. PEH (not externally 5. Economics 5. Physics
examinable) 6. Geography 6. Additional Mathematics
7. Government 7. PEH (elective)
8. History 8. Agricultural Science
9. Religious Studies
10. Art and Design Foundation
11. Art and Design Studio
12. Design & Communication
Technology
13. Performing Arts

In addition, learners who have been identified as needing support following their initial English and Mathematics assessment are required to
offer one or both of Intervention English and Intervention Mathematics. These will have to be taken instead of one or two of the electives listed
above.
LEARNING AREA NINE: STEM (for designated STEM schools only)
GROUP A (CORE) GROUP B (STEM GROUP C (ADDITIONAL GROUP D (HUMANITIES
ELECTIVES) ELECTIVES) ELECTIVES)
For every learner who has Each learner must do FOUR of Learners may also choose ONE Learners may also choose ONE
selected ‘STEM’ as their the subjects below OR TWO of the subjects below. of the subjects below.
Learning Area the subjects below
are MANDATORY
1. Mathematics ONE OR TWO of the following: 1. ICT 1. Economics
2. Social Studies 1. Engineering 2. Applied Technology 2. Geography
3. English Language 2. Biomedical Science 3. Home Economics 3. Government
4. PEH (not externally 3. Aviation & Aerospace 4. Business Studies 4. History
examinable) 4. Agriculture 5. Art and Design 5. Religious Studies
5. Manufacturing Foundation 6. Literature in English
6. Art and Design Studio 7. Ghanaian Languages
TWO OR THREE of the 7. Performing Arts 8. Arabic
following: 8. Agricultural Science 9. French
1. Robotics
2. Chemistry
3. Biology
4. Physics
5. Additional Mathematics
6. Computing
7. PEH (elective)

In addition, learners who have been identified as needing support following their initial English and Mathematics assessment are required to
offer one or both of Intervention English and Intervention Mathematics. These will have to be taken instead of one or two of the electives listed
above.
Q&A