How to Write a NaCCA-Compliant Lesson Plan in Ghana (2026 Guide)

By Admin · Updated 29 July 2026

Writing a lesson plan that satisfies GES supervision and reflects the NaCCA Standards-Based Curriculum is one of the most time-consuming parts of a Ghanaian SHS teacher's week. This guide breaks down exactly what a NaCCA-compliant lesson plan needs, in the order it should appear, so you can write one quickly — or check that one you already have covers everything.

See a Real NaCCA Lesson Plan Example

Below is an actual General Science lesson plan (Year 1, Week 11) generated by SHS Planner — every section from this guide applied: curriculum-matched Strand, Sub-Strand, Content Standard and Indicator, DoK-leveled activities, MA/HP/NS differentiation, GESI/SEL woven in, and a full assessment with rubric.

Scroll through all 8 pages of the full lesson plan →

Tap any page to view it full size.

1. Start from the curriculum, not the topic

Every NaCCA lesson plan begins with four elements pulled directly from the Standards-Based Curriculum document for your subject and year:

• Strand — the broad curriculum area (e.g. Algebra, Reading, Forces and Energy)
• Sub-Strand — the specific theme within the strand
• Content Standard — the broad expectation for learners by the end of the year
• Learning Indicator(s) — the specific, assessable outcome for this lesson

2. Write clear, measurable learning outcomes

Turn the Indicator into 2–3 outcome statements learners can demonstrate by the end of the lesson — using observable verbs (identify, calculate, construct, compare) rather than vague ones (understand, know, appreciate).

3. Reference Depth of Knowledge (DoK)

NaCCA lessons are expected to move learners beyond recall. Structure your core activities so they touch at least two DoK levels:

1. DoK 1 — Recall (define, list, state)
2. DoK 2 — Skill/Concept (classify, compare, solve)
3. DoK 3 — Strategic Thinking (justify, critique, design)
4. DoK 4 — Extended Thinking (investigate, connect across topics)

4. Differentiate for proficiency levels, not for separate lesson notes

Rather than writing three lesson notes, write one lesson plan with activities that flex across:

• MA — Minimum Achievement (needs more support)
• HP — Highly Proficient (ready for extension)
• NS — Nurturing/Support learners with specific needs (SEN)

Build this into the activity description itself — a good NaCCA lesson plan reads naturally, without needing a label like "For MA learners:" attached to every line.

5. Build in GESI, SEL, and 21st Century Skills

These three threads run across the whole curriculum and reviewers look for them explicitly:

• GESI (Gender-Equity and Social Inclusion) — activities and examples that don't assume one gender, ability level, or background
• SEL (Social-Emotional Learning) — peer collaboration, self-regulation, respectful group work built into the activity, not bolted on as a separate paragraph
• 21st Century Skills — critical thinking, communication, collaboration, creativity, made visible in what learners actually do

6. Choose an assessment that matches the indicator

Your closing assessment should test the same indicator you opened with — a quick oral Q&A, a short written exercise, or a practical task, scaled to the time available in a single period.

7. Keep the format consistent with your school's PLC Handbook

Where your subject has a school-level exam format documented in your school's PLC Handbook (separate from WASSCE structure), make sure your lesson's assessment style feeds naturally into that format over the term, not just the single lesson.

Frequently Asked Questions

What must a NaCCA lesson plan include?

Strand, Sub-Strand, Content Standard and Indicator from the curriculum, clear learning outcomes, differentiated activities across proficiency levels, an assessment strategy, and GESI/SEL/21st Century Skills references.

What is DoK in a Ghanaian lesson plan?

Depth of Knowledge — a scale from simple recall to strategic and extended thinking. NaCCA expects lessons to move learners beyond recall alone.

Do I need a different lesson note for each proficiency level?

No — one lesson plan with differentiated activities for MA, HP, and NS learners, not three separate documents.

What is the difference between a lesson plan and a scheme of work in Ghana?

A scheme of work is a term-long, week-by-week map of topics and indicators. A lesson plan is the detailed document for one specific lesson within that scheme.

How long should a NaCCA lesson plan be?

Typically 1–2 pages for a single period, once the curriculum header, outcomes, differentiated activities, and assessment are included.

Can I reuse the same lesson plan every term?

The curriculum header and structure can carry over, but GES supervisors expect activities and assessment to be refreshed to reflect the current class.