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NaCCA recalls the SHS Physical Education and Health teachers’ manual over the controversial gender identity definition
The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NaCCA) has instructed all teachers in possession of hard copies of the SHS Physical Education & Health teachers’ manual to return them immediately.
The directive was prompted by concerns regarding a controversial definition of gender identity in the handbook, which is now being used in classrooms.
Prof. Vincent Assanful, the Chairman of the NaCCA Board, confirmed the directive in an interview with Adom News on Tuesday, January 13, 2026.
He clarified that a thorough review of the curriculum is ongoing in order to make sure the curriculum is in line with Ghanaian values while upholding educational integrity.
The review, he said, encompasses education from the basic to the secondary level.
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“In the review process, we should have flagged that definition. We are undertaking some changes in the curriculum. I have instructed my Director-General that they should state to clarify and to make a point that that bit, and in fact it is not only that bit, but the whole section of the definition of terms, but we will also have to have a second look at that section.
“I am working on it, and I assure teachers, well-meaning Ghanaians and parents that we will work on that aspect in the review of the curriculum,” he stated.
Prof. Assanful confirmed that the document originated from NaCCA after his attention was drawn to the controversial gender identity definition in the manual.
“It was brought to my attention this morning, and honestly, I didn’t understand it well. So, I forwarded it to the Deputy Director in charge of Technical Services, who oversees curriculum development. He confirmed to me that indeed the document is from us, so in terms of its authenticity, it is an authentic document which originated from us,” he remarked.
He further explained that during the review process, a subject expert also reviewed it, but they had no idea how the controversial issue eluded them and was published in the manual.
“I drew the Deputy Director’s attention to the definition. It is obvious that during the preparation of the document, a subject expert reviewed it. He said he would contact the subject expert and find out how that definition came into the document.
“He has communicated the expert’s response, but I am not convinced. I have engaged the Director-General as well, Prof. Bekoe,” he noted.
The Physical Education manual for teachers defines gender identity as a person’s deeply felt internal experience of gender, which may or may not correspond to the sex assigned at birth.
It also notes that gender may include being male, female, or a blend of both and goes beyond the binary notion of gender as male and female and recognises the diversity of gender experiences and expressions.
Prof. Assanful assured that the review would critically examine the entire handbook rather than just the gender-specific portion in order to ensure clarity and appropriateness.
