Prof. Quarm’s 'head for load' text book not approved – Ministry

The Ministry of Education says the class one science text book which described the function of the head as "for carrying load", was not approved.

The book has triggered outrage among some members of the public who argue that the head is for thinking and not for carying load.

In a statement issued in Accra on Monday, the Ministry of Education was quick to distance itself from the book which was authored by Prof. Albert Joseph Quarm.

“Investigations have so far revealed that the infamous book in question appears to be an uncommissioned solo effort by the said author. For the avoidance of doubt, the said book has not been taken through the approval processes of the Curriculum Research and Development Division of the Ghana Education Service,” the statement said.

The Ministry added that there was only one approved primary 1 textbook titled 'Natural Science for Primary Schools: Activity-Based Pupils’ Book 1, which is jointly authored by Peter Asiedu, Henric Atta Baa-Yeboah and Ebenezer Agyiri Domptey.

On page 62 of this particular book, it is indicated that, “Our head contains the brain which helps us to think”.

 Read the Ministry's full statement below:

PROF. QUARM’S NATURAL SCIENCE TEXTBOOK NOT AN APPROVED TEXTBOOK FOR SCHOOLS

The attention of the Ministry of Education has been drawn to public discourse in sections of the media as regards a supposed Primary 1 textbook titled “Natural Science for Primary Schools” written and published by one Prof. Albert Joseph Quarm which claims in an illustration that the head is used for carrying objects.

It must be noted that the book in question is not an approved textbook for schools under the Ghana Education Service.

Investigations have so far revealed that the infamous book in question appears to be an uncommissioned solo effort by the said author. For the avoidance of doubt, the said book has not been taken through the approval processes of the Curriculum Research and Development Division of the Ghana Education Service.

It is to be noted that it is for unfortunate possibilities such as this that the Ministry of Education vets and authorises books intended for use in our schools and the reason we have requested our heads of schools to keep their schools away from unapproved material.

We can however, confirm that there is only one approved primary 1 textbook titled “Natural Science for Primary Schools: Activity-Based Pupils’ Book 1” jointly authored by Peter Asiedu, Henric Atta Baa-Yeboah and Ebenezer Agyiri Domptey. On page 62 of this particular book, it is indicated that “our head contains the brain which helps us to think”.

The Ministry wishes to advice against associating the Ministry or the Ghana Education Service to this publication. We also caution heads of schools and parents on the purchase and use of Prof. Quarm’s book.