Bachelor of Education (Early Grade Specialism)

The Bachelor of Education (Early Grade Specialism) at the University of Ghana is a degree for those who want to teach the youngest pupils in primary school. Offered within the College of Education, it builds the knowledge and practical skills needed to guide children from learning to read and count to becoming confident learners. This page explains what the programme involves, how hard it is to get into, and what you can do with it afterwards.

What early grade teaching involves

Programmes of this kind train you to work with children in the early primary years, typically from kindergarten to lower primary. They cover how young children develop and learn, methods for teaching literacy, numeracy, and other subjects, and strategies for managing a classroom of young learners. You also learn to spot and support children with learning difficulties, which is a key part of the early grade specialism. By the end, you should be confident in planning lessons, using learning materials simply and effectively, and creating a classroom where every child feels able to participate.

How competitive entry is

Getting a place on this programme is competitive. That means your WASSCE grades need to be solid, and there is likely to be strong competition from other applicants. You should check the university's admission requirements to see exactly what grades are expected. If you are interested in teaching, it is worth preparing a strong application, because the demand for trained early grade teachers is high in Ghana.

What you can do after graduation

Most graduates of an early grade education programme go on to teach in primary schools, either in the public system or in private schools. Others move into curriculum development, educational materials writing, or educational planning. The specialism also opens doors to work with non-governmental organisations that focus on early childhood education and literacy. Some graduates continue to further study, such as a master's in education, to become school heads, teacher trainers, or education policymakers.