Ghana takes pride in its education system, which has produced some of the brightest minds in Africa. However, beneath the surface lies a deep-rooted problem: the culture of chew and pour.
This phrase describes a learning approach where students memorise information for exams, quickly regurgitate it on the answer sheet, and then forget it immediately afterward. This practice has become so ingrained that it shapes how students, teachers, and even policymakers define success. But is this really education, or just a short-term survival strategy?
What Is ‘Chew and Pour’?
Chew and pour is a rote memorisation method where students focus on cramming facts, formulas, and definitions without fully understanding them. The goal is simple: pass the exam, move to the next level, and repeat the cycle. Unfortunately, this method discourages critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity—skills that are essential in the modern world.
Why Does This Culture Persist?
1. Exam-Driven System
Ghana’s education system places heavy emphasis on exams. From the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) to the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), students are judged almost entirely by their ability to reproduce information under strict conditions. As a result, both students and teachers focus on exam techniques rather than deep learning.
2. Pressure from Parents and Society
In Ghana, academic success is often measured by high grades rather than actual understanding. Parents push their children to score well, sometimes forcing them into extra classes and tuition sessions where the focus is on memorising past questions rather than grasping concepts. A student who questions too much or takes longer to understand a topic is often seen as weak or unserious.
3. Teaching Methods Focused on Rote Learning
Many teachers, constrained by large class sizes and rigid curricula, rely on traditional lecture methods. Lessons are often about dictating notes rather than engaging students in discussions, experiments, or hands-on learning. This makes it difficult for students to think critically or apply knowledge practically.
4. Lack of Practical Application
Subjects like Science, Mathematics, and even Social Studies are often taught in a purely theoretical manner. Many schools lack well-equipped science labs, making it impossible for students to conduct experiments. Similarly, subjects like History and Government are taught through memorised facts rather than discussions on their relevance to modern society.
5. Fear of Failure
Because academic progression depends entirely on passing exams, students focus on short-term memory rather than long-term understanding. The fear of failure drives them to memorise information without questioning its meaning.
The Consequences of ‘Chew and Pour’
1. Poor Critical Thinking Skills
A system that encourages memorisation over understanding produces graduates who struggle with independent thinking. This affects innovation and problem-solving in the workplace, where employees are expected to think creatively and adapt to new challenges.
2. Unprepared Workforce
Employers frequently complain that Ghanaian graduates lack practical skills. Many struggle with tasks that require analytical thinking or hands-on experience, which were never emphasised in school. This contributes to unemployment, as businesses prefer to hire individuals with practical competence rather than just theoretical knowledge.
3. Stifled Creativity and Innovation
A rigid, exam-focused education system discourages students from exploring new ideas. Ghana has a rich history of innovation, yet many young people lack the confidence to pursue new solutions because they were never trained to think outside the box.
4. A Cycle of Misinformation
Because students often memorise outdated or incorrect information without questioning it, this culture extends beyond school. It contributes to a society where misinformation spreads easily, as people accept and repeat information without verifying its accuracy.
How Can Ghana’s Education System Be Reformed?
1. Shift the Focus from Exams to Understanding
Assessment methods should change to prioritise problem-solving, creativity, and critical thinking over mere memorisation. Project-based learning and open-ended assignments should be introduced to test real understanding.
2. Improve Teaching Methods
Teachers should be trained to use interactive and engaging teaching strategies, such as discussions, case studies, and practical demonstrations. Instead of dictating notes, they should encourage students to ask questions and explore concepts.
3. Invest in Practical Learning
More emphasis should be placed on hands-on learning. Science labs, workshops, and technology-driven classrooms should be available in schools to help students apply what they learn in real-life situations.
4. Encourage a Reading and Research Culture
Instead of forcing students to memorise textbooks, they should be encouraged to read widely, analyse different perspectives, and form their own opinions. Schools should promote library use and digital research.
5. Make Education Relevant to the Job Market
Curricula should be updated to reflect the needs of today’s job market. More focus should be placed on entrepreneurship, vocational skills, and technology to prepare students for the modern economy.
The chew and pour culture is one of the biggest barriers to real learning in Ghana. If the country wants to produce graduates who are critical thinkers, problem solvers, and innovators, then the education system must change.
Learning should not be about passing exams—it should be about understanding, applying, and improving knowledge to transform society. Ghana needs an education system that does more than test memory—it must prepare students for the future.
