Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu has conceded that the double-track system implemented under the Free SHS policy has had a negative impact on the quality and outcomes of education across Senior High Schools (SHSs) in Ghana.

Speaking at a media briefing on Sunday, August 24, Mr Iddrisu described the system, which was introduced to manage overcrowding in SHSs, as a temporary solution that has compromised effective teaching and learning.

“The double-track system has impacted negatively on the quality and outcomes of education under the Free SHS policy,” the minister bemoaned. “Students have fewer contact hours and less study time, which affects their performance.”

In response, according to the minister, the government has initiated a plan to phase out the double-track arrangement through a combination of key reforms, including:

• Expanding infrastructure in public SHSs to accommodate more students.
• Enhancing digital learning tools to support instruction and extend access to quality education.
• Integrating private SHSs into the Free SHS policy to ease the burden on public schools.

According to Mr Iddrisu, “Government’s commitment to ending the system can only be realised at three levels: expanding infrastructure, strengthening digital resources in schools, and allowing private SHSs to absorb qualified students.”

To oversee the transition from double-track to a single-track system, the Ministry of Education has constituted an 11-member committee chaired by Professor Peter Grant of the University of Cape Coast (UCC).

The committee has been tasked with reviewing the 2024/2025 academic calendar and proposing a roadmap to guide the phase-out across both SHSs and Senior High Technical Schools (SHTSs).

Committee Members:

• Prof. Peter Grant – Chair, UCC
• Prof. Godwin Awabil – UCC
• Prof. Samuel A. Atintono – PRINCOF
• Prof. Smile Gavua Dzisi (Mrs.) – Deputy Director-General (Management Services), GES
• Dr. Munawaru Issahaque – Deputy Director-General (Quality and Access), GES
• D. W. Agbenyo – WAEC
• Dr. Rosemond Wilson – WAEC
• Mr. Augustus Agyemfra – CODE
• Mr. David Odjidja – CHASS
• Mr. Addo Nicholas Nii Kpakpoe – COHBS
• Prince Charles Agyemang-Duah – Schools & Instructions Division, GES