The Minister of Education, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, has defended Ghana’s double-track system in secondary schools, cautioning that ending the system could reduce access to free senior high school (SHS) education for many students. Despite some stakeholders calling for its removal, Dr. Adutwum argues that the system remains critical in expanding educational access under the Free SHS policy.
In an interview with Citi News during an unannounced visit to Presbyterian Boys’ Secondary School (PRESEC), Dr. Adutwum explained that the double-track system was introduced to accommodate the high demand in schools with limited facilities. It allows more students to benefit from secondary education without overcrowding the available spaces.
He noted that as certain schools expand their infrastructure, they are able to transition away from the double-track model. However, he stressed that until such facility expansions are widely achieved, the system continues to play a necessary role in the educational landscape.
Dr. Adutwum cited PRESEC as an example, pointing out that the system enables them to manage their large student body by rotating attendance. “Until we get those facilities, it makes sense to divide the PRESEC population, keeping some students at home while others are in school,” he remarked, highlighting the program’s strategic planning. He added that the double-track system is research-driven and has been successfully implemented in other countries, including the United States.
Dr. Adutwum also emphasized that schools like PRESEC have seen improved outcomes under the double-track system, further challenging the criticism against it.
