Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu visited Osu schools to monitor the National Standardized Test for Primary 2 and Primary 6 learners under the GALOP programme.
Last Updated: July 25, 2026
By: Ferdinand Ellis | EducateGhana.com
Author Authority: Education Blogger | Curriculum Specialist | Researcher | Education Policy Analyst
The Minister for Education, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, has visited selected basic schools in Osu to monitor the ongoing National Standardized Test (NST) as part of government efforts to strengthen foundational learning outcomes among Ghanaian pupils.
The Minister inspected the conduct of the assessment at Osu Salem 1 KG Primary School and St. Peter’s Catholic Church Schools, where he interacted with learners, teachers and education officials overseeing the exercise.
The National Standardized Test is currently being administered to Primary 2 and Primary 6 learners across the country.
Education Minister Visits Osu Schools to Monitor National Standardized Test
During the monitoring exercise, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu observed assessment procedures, engaged with school authorities and received updates on the implementation of the National Standardized Test in the selected schools.
The visit forms part of the Ministry of Education’s broader effort to ensure that the assessment is conducted effectively and that pupils receive the support needed to develop strong literacy and numeracy skills.
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→ Related resource: National Teachers’ Standards and Foundational Learning Strategies
What Is the National Standardized Test?
The National Standardized Test is a national assessment designed to measure learning outcomes in literacy and numeracy at the basic education level.
The assessment is administered to Primary 2 and Primary 6 learners and is intended to help education authorities identify learning gaps, track progress and improve teaching and learning outcomes across schools.
The test provides data that can support evidence-based decisions on curriculum implementation, teacher support and interventions for struggling learners.
→ Related article: Ghana’s Basic Education Assessment Reforms and Learning Outcomes
→ Related resource: How Standardized Assessments Support Teaching and Learning
GALOP Programme Supports Foundational Learning in Ghana
The National Standardized Test is being implemented under the Ghana Accountability for Learning Outcomes Project (GALOP), a programme supported by the World Bank.
GALOP focuses on improving learning outcomes in Ghana’s basic schools by strengthening teaching quality, school leadership, accountability systems and foundational literacy and numeracy.
The programme has supported interventions such as:
Teacher professional development.
School improvement planning.
Learning assessment systems.
Targeted support for low-performing schools.
Foundational literacy and numeracy initiatives.
→ Related article: World Bank and GALOP Support Basic Education Improvement in Ghana
→ Related resource: Teacher Professional Development Under GALOP
Why Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Matter
Education experts consistently emphasise that strong foundational skills are essential for success at all later stages of education.
Pupils who develop literacy and numeracy skills in the early grades are more likely to:
Read with understanding.
Perform better in other subjects.
Remain engaged in school.
Transition successfully to higher levels of education.
The National Standardized Test therefore serves not only as an assessment tool but also as a mechanism for identifying areas where additional support is needed.
→ Related article: Early Grade Reading and Numeracy Interventions in Ghana
→ Related resource: Strategies for Improving Foundational Learning Outcomes
Government Continues Focus on Basic Education Quality
The monitoring exercise comes amid ongoing education reforms aimed at improving learning quality, curriculum relevance and teacher effectiveness across Ghana’s basic education system.
Recent government initiatives have included curriculum revisions, digital skills integration, teacher welfare measures and infrastructure expansion at various levels of education.
The Ministry has indicated that strengthening foundational learning remains a key priority because early learning outcomes influence performance throughout the education cycle.
→ Related article: Ghana Education Reforms 2026: Curriculum, Assessment and Infrastructure Updates
→ Related resource: Basic Education Policy and Learning Quality Framework
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the National Standardized Test in Ghana?
The National Standardized Test is a national assessment that measures literacy and numeracy learning outcomes among basic school pupils.
Which pupils are taking the 2026 National Standardized Test?
The assessment is being administered to Primary 2 and Primary 6 learners.
Why did Haruna Iddrisu visit Osu schools?
The Education Minister visited selected schools in Osu to monitor the conduct of the National Standardized Test and assess its implementation.
What is GALOP?
GALOP stands for Ghana Accountability for Learning Outcomes Project, a World Bank-supported programme aimed at improving learning outcomes in basic schools.
Final Analysis
The monitoring of the National Standardized Test by Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu highlights the government’s continued emphasis on foundational literacy and numeracy as the bedrock of educational success.
By linking assessment data with programmes such as GALOP, Ghana is seeking to build a more evidence-driven education system that identifies learning gaps early and supports schools in improving outcomes for all learners.
The effectiveness of these efforts will depend on sustained investment in teacher development, learning resources, school leadership and the use of assessment results to inform targeted interventions.
Source
Ministry of Education, Republic of Ghana
About the Author
Ferdinand Ellis is an education blogger, curriculum specialist, researcher and policy analyst focusing on Ghana’s education system, teacher education, curriculum development and education policy.
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