President John Dramani Mahama has pledged to eliminate the double-track system in senior high schools by the end of 2027. This landmark goal will be achieved by prioritizing the expansion of technical and vocational education. The government will also invest in infrastructure upgrades for existing senior high schools.
This initiative aims to increase the time students spend in school with their teachers. The double-track system splits students into different groups to manage overcrowding. Forcing students into separate tracks reduces valuable teaching hours. The President believes a return to a single-track system will improve academic delivery for all students.
The strategy deliberately shifts focus from building more senior high schools. Instead, the government will build more technical and vocational institutions. This move seeks to better match education with industry needs. Students who prefer practical skills will have direct access to specialized training. This equips them with job-ready abilities for the Ghanaian workforce.
This policy change fits into Ghana's ongoing efforts to reform its education sector. The double-track system was introduced in 2017 to cope with increased enrollment from the Free Senior High School policy. However, it has faced criticism for its impact on learning time. Prior studies, like those from the Ghana Education Service, highlight the need to address capacity constraints.
Speaking at a STEM education event, President Mahama stated, “Instead of building more senior high schools, our intention is to build more technical and vocational schools so that young people who prefer that track can go straight into technical and vocational education and move into the world of work.” He further emphasized the 2027 deadline for ending the double-track system, declaring, “We are going to end the double-track system by the end of 2027. By then, no senior high school will be on double track.”
To support this transition, significant investment in school infrastructure is planned. This includes expanding dormitories, lecture halls, dining halls, and auditoriums. These upgrades are crucial to increase school capacity. They will ensure that all students can attend full-time, permanently ending the need for the double-track system. The estimated cost of such infrastructure expansion could run into billions of cedis, requiring careful fiscal planning.
The implications of this policy are substantial for the Ghanaian economy. A more skilled workforce can boost productivity and attract foreign investment. Vocational training aligns with sectors like manufacturing and technology, key areas for economic growth. The government must ensure adequate funding and quality control in these new institutions. Monitor the budget allocation for these projects closely.