The Ghanaian government, under the leadership of President John Dramani Mahama, has unveiled a comprehensive strategy to eliminate the controversial double-track system in secondary education. This system, implemented to accommodate increased student enrollment due to the Free Senior High School policy, divides the academic year into two semesters, with different cohorts of students attending school during each semester. This approach, while allowing for greater access to education, has faced criticism for potential disruptions to learning and increased pressure on school resources. The government’s plan aims to address these concerns and normalize the school system by a combination of infrastructure development and increased collaboration with private schools.
Central to this strategy is the integration of private schools into the Centralized School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS). Deputy Minister of Education, Dr. Clement Apaak, announced that approximately 150,000 students are projected to be placed in private secondary institutions through the CSSPS. This integration signifies a significant shift in the traditional allocation of students and is expected to significantly alleviate pressure on public schools. By leveraging the capacity of private schools, the government aims to reduce overcrowding in public institutions and create a more balanced distribution of students across the educational landscape. This utilization of private sector capacity is a key component of the government’s plan to ensure that all students have access to quality education without compromising the educational experience due to overcrowding or resource limitations.
Dr. Apaak highlighted the urgency of addressing the double-track system, recalling previous unfulfilled promises by the former administration to eliminate it. He emphasized the current government’s commitment to fulfilling this pledge, citing it as a tangible demonstration of positive change for Ghanaians. This commitment underscores the importance placed on education as a fundamental right and the administration’s dedication to providing a consistent and uninterrupted learning environment for all students. The double-track system, while initially intended as a temporary solution, has become a source of contention, and its elimination represents a significant step towards improving the quality and accessibility of secondary education.
The strategy to eliminate the double-track system involves a two-pronged approach. Firstly, the government will prioritize the completion of numerous unfinished school building projects across the country. This investment in infrastructure is aimed at expanding the physical capacity of existing public schools to accommodate a larger student population. Dr. Apaak emphasized the role of the GETFund (Ghana Education Trust Fund) in financing these projects, highlighting the President’s decision to “decap” the fund, enabling it to fulfill its designated purpose of supporting educational infrastructure development. This focus on completing existing projects demonstrates a commitment to efficient resource allocation and maximizing the impact of public investment in education.
Secondly, the inclusion of private schools in the CSSPS will create additional spaces for students, effectively increasing the overall capacity of the secondary education system. This strategic partnership with private institutions offers a cost-effective way to manage the growing student population while reducing reliance on the double-track system. By diversifying the educational landscape and utilizing the capacity of both public and private institutions, the government aims to provide a more sustainable and stable solution for the long-term development of secondary education. This collaborative approach recognizes the important role played by private schools in the educational ecosystem and aims to create a more integrated and comprehensive system.
The government’s commitment to ending the double-track system reflects its broader vision for educational reform and its focus on delivering tangible benefits to Ghanaian citizens. By investing in infrastructure development and partnering with private schools, the government seeks to create a more equitable and accessible education system that provides all students with the opportunity to thrive. This comprehensive strategy addresses both the immediate need to alleviate overcrowding and the long-term goal of building a robust and resilient educational system that can accommodate future growth and provide quality education for all. The success of this initiative will be a testament to the government’s commitment to improving the lives of its citizens through education and its dedication to creating a brighter future for generations to come.
