What are some of the courses offered at the senior high school level and their job opportunities in Ghana? How can these courses prepare students for their future careers?
In Ghana, senior high schools offer a wide range of subjects, from arts and humanities to science and mathematics. These courses equip students with skills they can apply in their future career paths.
For example, English Language and Literature (ELT) students can go into teaching or journalism. Also, Science and Technology (SciTech) students can go into engineering or medicine. Moreover, students who take Economics can go into banking or finance. And those who take History can go into law or politics.
So the question is; What courses should students take at the senior high school level to prepare them for their future careers? This question requires more extensive research and student interest. Some SHS students prefer job opportunities with huge remuneration. Others also want to enrol in technical or vocational schools and become self-employed.
This article has become necessary because a lot of readers have been demanding answers to what course a student should study at the Senior high school and the job opportunity that comes with the course of study.
It’s important to know that the course you study at the Senior High school can influence your future career opportunity. So it’s very crucial to choose wisely. Therefore, in this article, we have provided the list of courses and available opportunities.
The Ghana Education Service (GES) has embarked on a major reform programme to improve the quality of teaching and learning. This reform involves the introduction of new curriculum frameworks and teacher training programmes.
Students need to choose courses that will equip them with the skills needed for employment after they graduate from secondary school. These include communication, leadership, teamwork, critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity and innovation.
Courses Offered at Senior High Schools in Ghana
The table below shows some available courses at senior high schools (SHS) in Ghana. Any of the courses listed below include both core subjects and electives. The core subjects are English Language, Elective Mathematics, Social Studies, and Integrated Science.
| COURSES | ELECTIVE SUBJECTS |
|---|---|
| BUSINESS | ACCOUNTING, BUSINESS MANAGEMENT, ECONOMICS, PRINCIPLE OF COSTING OR ELECTIVE MATHEMATICS, FRENCH |
| GENERAL ARTS | LITERATURE IN ENGLISH, FRENCH, ECONOMICS, GEOGRAPHY, HISTORY, GOVERNMENT, RELIGIOUS STUDIES |
| GENERAL SCIENCE | PHYSICS, CHEMISTRY, ELECTIVE MATHS, BIOLOGY |
| HOME ECONOMICS | MANAGEMENT IN LIVING, FOOD, AND NUTRITION, GENERAL KNOWLEDGE IN ARTS, TEXTILE, ECONOMICS, FRENCH |
| VISUAL ARTS | GENERAL KNOWLEDGE IN ARTS, TEXTILE, GRAPHIC DESIGN, LITERATURE IN ENGLISH, FRENCH, ECONOMICS, BASKETRY, LEATHERWORK, PICTURE MAKING, CERAMICS, AND SCULPTURE |
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Job Opportunities for SHS Courses
The job opportunities and future studies listed below are available to students of any of the respective courses.
1. Job Opportunities for Business Courses
Students who enrol to do business courses in senior high school are more likely to get admission to universities where they can do any business-related programme. These factions of students are likely to end up in the University of Ghana Business School’s school of law and business studies and the faculty of business administration.
Accountants, financial analysts, bank managers, cashiers, business advisers, investment managers, auditors, teachers, and even CEOs are all options for business students.
However, you must be proficient in quantitative and mathematics-related subjects to gain entrance and study business at the senior high school level.
2. Job Opportunities for General Arts Students
Students who study General Art may be admitted to the faculties of law and arts at the University of Ghana, Legon. Honestly, admission to these faculties is extremely tough. Students with an aggregate of 6 to 12 have a better probability of acceptance.
Also, KNUST’s College of Art and Social Sciences and Cape Coast University both accept many students with a background in the General Arts. Students with a WASSCE aggregate of 6-15 have a better probability of admission.
Furthermore, a student with a broad background in arts can pursue a profession in nursing, teaching, accounting, communication, editing (publishing companies and media houses), linguistics, and other fields.
3. Job Opportunities for General Science students
Students that excel in Mathematics, Integrated Science, and English Language are more likely to succeed in the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
After graduating senior high school and receiving a good mark in the general science course, one can gain admission to the University of Ghana, Legon’s College of Health Sciences, College of Agriculture and Consumer Sciences, and Faculty of Engineering Science.
A Science Student can work as a Doctor, Nurse, Teacher, Physician, Lab Technician, or Pharmacist. They can also venture into the engineering field and take up electrical, chemical and computer science careers.
General science students have more significant opportunities.
4. Home Economics Job Opportunities in Ghana
Passes in Management in Living and two other elective topics relevant to the desired option are required for admission to the Department of Vocational and Technical Education at the tertiary level.
Professional schoolteachers and Matrons can get work in Senior High Schools and other institutions. Graduates are also employed as dietitians, caterers, and restaurant managers.
The curriculum teaches activities such as house furnishing, cooking, pastry and food preservation, kid upkeep, and handiwork such as sewing and cleaning, among others.
5. Job Opportunities for Visual Arts Students
A student who studies creative art may pursue a profession in painting, sculpture, drawing, printmaking, or filmmaking (as contrasted with literature and music).
Students with backgrounds in the visual arts and home economics may be admitted to the Department of Integrated Rural Art and Industry at KNUST or other universities.
Students in the visual arts must choose one of the following electives: General Knowledge in Arts, Art, Picture Making, or Graphic Design, as well as Textiles, Sculpture, or Leatherwork.
Conclusion
It’s worth noting that the senior high school curriculum isn’t all that crucial. The reason is that a student may offer a course in, for example, general science in high school but then attend university and study business-related subjects.
All that matters at Senior High School is your seriousness. Make an effort to study hard and pass your WASSCE. Passing the WASSCE will ensure that you have a proper course to study at the tertiary level.
I hope you found this helpful post. If you have any queries, please leave them in the comments section below, and we will answer them.
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Great Work. Very informative. Thanks
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Can a person study home economics and went to the university and study Business related subjects also learning Chinese
Honestly, it is very difficult for me to give you a direct answer as the courses are academically unrelated. But it is possible anyway. I have personally bumped into a colleague who studied agriculture at the SHS and got admission to pursue Electrical and Electronics Engineering at the university. Things are changing these days. Some universities may even consider you and allow you to redeem yourself at level 100.
Can a person study home economics and went to the university and study Business related subjects also learning Chinese
As I said, everything is possible. Try to reach the admission office or academic affairs of your chosen university and make inquiries.
Pls I’m in shs 2 offering general Art7. I still find it difficult in choosing a career for myself in the near future.l actually have interest in e-maths, economics and somehow history.pls l want u to council me on how to plan towards the coming years with regards to a career that will be helpful to me. Thank you.
Considering your current interests in e-maths, economics, and history, you have a great foundation to explore many promising paths.
But before anything else you have to reflect on what specifically attracts you to e-maths, economics, and history.
Do you enjoy the analytical challenges of math, the problem-solving aspects of economics, or the storytelling and analysis of historical events? Identifying specific aspects can help narrow down career options.
However, some possibilities include:
E-maths: Data science, engineering, finance, actuarial science
Economics: Economist, financial analyst, investment banker, market research analyst
History: Historian, archaeologist, archivist, museum curator, teacher
Please Sir, l want to ask if after offering Home economics at the SHS, can it be possible to offer Data science at the university?
Hello Dina,
Transitioning from Home Economics to Data Science is possible but challenging. It would require catching up on foundational subjects like mathematics and computer science. Consider your genuine interest and readiness to put in the effort needed for success in Data Science.
Even though it is not easy to be selected during the admission selection process considering the competition with other students who have science and other related courses and are already versed in mathematics. However, with dedication and perseverance, it’s possible to make the transition if Data Science aligns with your passion and goals.
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Thank you so much for your kind words! 🙏 We’re happy to hear that you love my blog. Your encouragement means a lot to me. May God bless you abundantly as well.