The Deputy Ranking Member on the Education Committee of Parliament, Dr Clement Apaak has questioned the governing NPP’s silence on ending the double-track system which was introduced in 2018 to cater for excess enrollment after the implementation of Free SHS.
According to him, teaching and learning cannot be improved in the second cycle institutions if the “dreaded and obnoxious” system, which allows some students to stay in school while others wait their turn, still exists with its numerous disadvantages.
The call "to see the demise of the double-track system with alacrity is because of how negatively it's affecting teaching and learning,” Dr Apaak wrote in a Facebook post.
Highlighting some of the issues of the double-track system, he explained that it has a haphazard calendar, where reopening dates for one track are sometimes hurriedly postponed to the disadvantage other students.
Dr. Apaak alleged that parents are footing the cost of elective textbooks because “government has refused to fund the cost of these books as part of the free SHS policy.”
He also complained of the long vacations and the enormous pressure on non-teaching staff, especially the kitchen and administrative staff, headmasters, senior housemasters, and housemasters, who hardly go on any vacation.
“President Akufo-Addo, who introduced the double-track system, because he failed to anticipate the need for infrastructure, has provided no timelines nor clear plan on how to end it,” Dr Apaak wrote.
Concluding his argument, the MP for Builsa South used his platform to applaud the NDC's flagbearer John Dramani Mahama for his commitment to ending the system in his first year if voted into power on December 7.
He stated that, Mr. John Mahama has plans to invest heavily in the educational sector to improve the infrastructure needs in existing schools and establish new Senior High Schools to contain the numbers.
“No doubt, this continues to be reassuring, welcome, and refreshing news to stakeholders in education; students, teachers, parents, think-tanks,” Dr Apaak added.
Latest Stories
-
We’ll establish fiscal council to rein in excessive borrowing – Finance Minister
26 seconds -
Mortuary workers issue fresh strike threat
4 mins -
‘Lapses in banking system are not unique’ – John Awuah on managing fraud in Ghana’s Banks
12 mins -
Bawumia confident of victory in 2024 election
46 mins -
Strengthening audit institutions essential for tackling fiscal mismanagement – Domelevo
57 mins -
Healthy Aging: The Role of the Gut Microbiome and How Diet Can Help
58 mins -
Seek medical care, diagnosis for breast cancer – Dr Abiti to women
1 hour -
Hardship: Men now collect marriage list from different families to get cheapest – Report
1 hour -
‘If you’re looking for trouble, you’ll get it,’ Falz tells VeryDarkMan
1 hour -
Paramount Chief of Avenor grateful to NPP, calls for completion of Agenda 111 project
2 hours -
Bawumia commissions ultramodern office complex for Ho Municipal Assembly
2 hours -
Bawumia declares NPP’s infrastructure record unmatched
2 hours -
Importers face duty on Electric Vehicles despite gov’t’s exemption promises
2 hours -
4 additional Democracy Hub protesters discharged
2 hours -
Election 2024: Alan Kyerematen lacks a message – Hassan Ayariga
2 hours