Double-track in free SHS has ‘negatively’ affected education – MoE

The Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, says the double-track system introduced by the erstwhile Akufo-Addo government, following the implementation of the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) programme, has had a negative impact on the country’s education.

Speaking to the journalists, he said the double-track system, introduced to ease congestion in Senior High Schools (SHSs), has negatively affected learning outcomes by reducing contact hours and study time for students.

The Minister for Education said the central government is working to phase out the double-track system in Senior High Schools (SHSs) through major investments in infrastructure, enhanced digital learning support,

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

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 ease the pressure,” he said at a media briefing.

To oversee the transition, the government has set up an 11-member committee to guide the reversal from double-track to single-track in SHSs and Senior High Technical Schools (SHTSs).

The double-track transition committee, chaired by Prof. Peter Grant of the University of Cape Coast (UCC), has been tasked to review the 2024/2025 academic calendar and propose a roadmap for the phase-out.

The members include Prof. Godwin Awabil, University of Cape Coast (UCC), Prof. Samuel A. Atintono, PRINCOF, Prof. Smile Gavua Dzisi (Mrs.), Deputy Director-General (Management Service), GES, Dr. Munawaru Issahaque, Deputy Director-General (Quality and Access), GES

Others are D. W. Agbenyo, WAEC, Rosemond Wilson (PhD), WAEC, Mr. Augustus Agyemfra, CODE, Mr. David Odjidja, CHASS, Addo Nicholas Nii Kpakpoe, COHBS, and Prince Charles Agyemang-Duah, Schools & Instructions Division, GES.

The mandate of the committee, inaugurated by the Minister of Education is to assess the current system, consult widely, and propose practical solutions that will ensure a smooth transition without compromising access and quality.

In other news, the Ghana Education Service (GES) says the 2025/2026 academic calendar it released following the release of the 2025 BECE results for School and Private candidates, has not fully reverted the second-cycle school system to a single-track system.

The Ghana Education Service’s comment follows news reports by some media outlets that the Ghana Education Service (GES) has reversed the 2025/2026 academic calendar for Senior High Schools (SHSs) to single-track.

“The Ghana Education Service (GES) wishes to clarify that the 2025/2026 academic calendar has not fully reverted to the single-track system as reported in some sections of the media.

The academic calendar, released last week, makes clear provision for both single-track and double-track schools,” the Service under the auspices of the Ministry of Education (MoE) said in a social media post.

According to the management of the Ghana Education Service (GES), the 2025/2026 academic year will officially begin on Saturday, 18th October 2025, when all first-year students are expected to report.

“The 2025/2026 academic year will end on August 21, 2026, for single-track Senior High Schools and September 4, 2026, for double-track Senior High Schools,” GES stated.