‘Social media language’ in classrooms not on our blind side – Education Ministry

The Ministry of Education has stated that concerns over students using "social media language" in the classroom are not being ignored, despite the issue not yet being formally presented to the Ministry. Press Secretary Hashmin Mohammed indicated that the Ministry is awaiting the Chief Examiner’s Report from the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), which is anticipated to offer a more comprehensive analysis of factors affecting students' academic performance.

This statement came in response to the WAEC's attribution of declining English Language performance in the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) to factors such as poor grammar, inadequate reading habits, and the impact of informal language.

John Kapi, Head of Public Affairs at WAEC Ghana, reported a decline in the English Language pass rate from 69% in 2025 to 62.40% in 2026. During an interview on JoyNews’ The Pulse on September 9, Mohammed clarified that the Ministry interprets Kapi's remarks as referring to insights found in the Chief Examiner’s Report. He emphasized that once the Ministry receives the report, it will assess the broader context to understand why some students excel while others struggle.

Mohammed confirmed that the Ministry is aware of the social media issue, noting that it was discussed at a national conference held last month to address indiscipline in schools, with social media identified as one contributing factor.

If the Chief Examiner’s Report establishes a connection between social media language and academic performance, the Ministry would not be surprised. Mohammed stated that while the decline in performance may be concerning, the Ministry is committed to examining the issue comprehensively to develop effective solutions.