Scheme Of Learning For JHS
If you are a Junior High School teacher in Ghana, the Scheme of Learning is one of the most important documents you will work with throughout the academic year.
Yet many teachers either overlook it, misunderstand its purpose, or struggle to put one together correctly.
This post breaks down everything you need to know about the Scheme of Learning for JHS in Ghana, what it is, why it matters, what it contains, and how to get or develop one for your class.
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Table of Contents
What Is a Scheme of Learning?
A Scheme of Learning (also called a Scheme of Work) is a structured, term-by-term or week-by-week plan that outlines what a teacher intends to teach over a given period. It serves as a roadmap that guides teachers through the curriculum, ensuring that all required topics and learning indicators are covered within the available teaching time.
In the context of Ghana’s basic education system, the Scheme of Learning is developed in line with the Ghana Education Service (GES) Standard-Based Curriculum (SBC), which replaced the old syllabus-based approach. It is not just a list of topics, it is a deliberate plan that connects learning objectives, teaching strategies, resources, and assessment activities in a coherent sequence.
Why Is the Scheme of Learning Important for JHS Teachers?
The Scheme of Learning is not a bureaucratic formality. It serves several practical purposes that directly impact the quality of teaching and learning in your classroom:
- Curriculum Coverage: It ensures that no topic or learning indicator is skipped or rushed due to poor planning. By mapping out the entire term in advance, teachers can pace themselves appropriately.
- Professional Accountability: Headteachers, circuit supervisors, and Ghana Education Service inspectors regularly check schemes of learning during school visits. A well-prepared scheme demonstrates professionalism and preparedness.
- Lesson Plan Development: The Scheme of Learning serves as the foundation from which individual lesson plans are drawn. Without it, lesson planning becomes inconsistent and disconnected.
- Student Progression: It helps teachers track student learning progressively, building on prior knowledge week by week rather than teaching topics in isolation.
- Examination Preparation: For JHS 3 (B9) teachers especially, the scheme ensures that the BECE syllabus is fully covered well before examination time, leaving room for revision.
Structure of a GES Scheme of Learning for JHS
A standard Scheme of Learning for JHS in Ghana typically contains the following columns or components:
- Week Number: The week within the term the topic will be taught
- Class/Level: The specific class (B7, B8, or B9)
- Subject: The subject being taught
- Strand: The broad content area from the curriculum (e.g., Number, Geometry, Living World)
- Sub-Strand: A more specific subdivision within the strand
- Content Standard: What students are expected to know and be able to do at the end of the unit
- Learning Indicator(s): Specific, measurable outcomes for each lesson
- Teaching and Learning Activities (TLAs): Methods and activities the teacher will use to deliver the content
- Core Competencies: The broader skills being developed (e.g., critical thinking, communication, collaboration)
- Resources and Teaching Aids: Materials needed for the lesson
- Assessment: How learning will be evaluated (e.g., class exercises, projects, quizzes)
- Remarks/Evaluation: Space for the teacher to note observations, challenges, or adjustments after teaching
Scheme of Learning Across JHS Levels
JHS 1 (Basic 7)
At this level, the Scheme of Learning introduces students to the JHS curriculum, building on foundational knowledge from Upper Primary. The focus is on establishing core competencies across all subjects while transitioning students to more rigorous academic content.
JHS 2 (Basic 8)
The B8 scheme deepens content coverage across all subjects. Teachers at this level should ensure that the scheme connects prior knowledge from B7 with more advanced concepts, maintaining a steady progression toward BECE readiness.
JHS 3 (Basic 9)
The B9 Scheme of Learning is arguably the most critical, as it must align closely with the BECE examination syllabus. Teachers should plan their scheme to ensure full syllabus coverage by the end of Term 2 at the latest, reserving Term 3 for intensive revision and mock examinations.
How to Get a Scheme of Learning for JHS in Ghana
Simply download them on the page below
Download Term 1, 2, 3 Scheme of Learning For JHS
How to Write Your Own Scheme of Learning for JHS
If you prefer to develop your own scheme from scratch, here is a simple step-by-step guide:
- Step 1: Get the Curriculum Document
Download or obtain the GES Standard-Based Curriculum for your subject and class level. This document contains all the strands, sub-strands, content standards, and learning indicators you need. - Step 2: Count Your Teaching Weeks
Find out the total number of weeks in the term, subtract weeks lost to holidays, examinations, and school events, and calculate your actual available teaching weeks.
- Step 1: Get the Curriculum Document
- Step 3: Map Topics to Weeks
Go through the curriculum and assign each strand or sub-strand to specific weeks, based on the depth of content and the number of periods available per week for your subject. - Step 4: Fill in the Scheme Template
Using a scheme of learning template (available from GES or your school), fill in each column, strand, sub-strand, content standard, learning indicators, teaching activities, resources, and assessment methods. - Step 5: Get It Reviewed and Signed
Submit your completed scheme to your headteacher for review and endorsement. A signed scheme of learning is the standard requirement for school supervision and inspection. - Step 6: Review and Update Regularly
- Step 3: Map Topics to Weeks
At the end of each week, revisit your scheme and note any topics that were not completed or need further attention. Update your remarks column and adjust subsequent weeks if necessary.
