By Ernest Bako WUBONTO
The Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has inaugurated a working committee tasked with ending the double-track system under the Free Senior High School (FSHS) policy to enhance educational quality.
During the inauguration event at the ministry, he highlighted that the committee’s mandate includes developing guidelines to phase out the double-track system, realign Ghana’s SHS academic calendar with the West African schedule, integrate private schools into the FSHS programme and implement measures to improve learning outcomes.
The double-track system, introduced due to infrastructure deficits, has reduced contact hours and instructional time, negatively impacting education standards.
“One of the major issues with FSHS is quality. The double-track system means students spend more time at home than in school, which has affected performance. This committee’s work is crucial to addressing that; and we will ensure the resources required to deliver on this mandate are provided,” he stated.
He also mentioned that to tackle infrastructure gaps at the SHS level, the government will prioritise the completion of abandoned E-Blocks and other Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) projects.
Currently, 62 GETFund projects in senior high schools remain abandoned, and the ministry is mobilising resources to address 22 of them urgently with its capital expenditures (CapEx) budget.
The minister emphasised that this move fulfils a key campaign promise made by President John Dramani Mahama, who pledged to address challenges within the FSHS programme and eliminate the double-track system when elected.
He elaborated that the FSHS was initiated at a time when infrastructure was inadequate, resulting in the double-track; thus, many of the E-Block classroom infrastructure projects started under the NDC administration in 2015 and later abandoned by the previous government will be completed immediately to provide more infrastructure for students.
“The essence of the FSHS review, as stated by the current President, is to improve quality within the expanded access regime of the programme. What we aspire to is that every Ghanaian child who qualifies for SHS must have access and do so in an environment that ensures comfort,” he said.
Mr. Haruna Iddrisu mentioned that some of the E-Block Day schools would be converted into boarding schools for convenience, equipped with the necessary infrastructure.
The committee will also explore ways to incorporate private senior high schools into the FSHS programme, including assessing cost implications. Additionally, Ghana aims to synchronise its academic calendar with the West African Secondary School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) schedule by 2027, ensuring students can sit for the exam along with their regional counterparts.
“WASSCE is a regional examination, and Ghana cannot afford to operate on a different timetable. By 2027, we must have a fully functional FSHS system with adequate boarding and day facilities, supported by modern technology,” Iddrisu added.
The 11-member committee, chaired by Prof. Peter Grant of the University of Cape Coast (UCC), includes representatives from various institutions – such as Prof. Godwin Awabil, UCC; Prof. Samuel A. Atintono, Conference of Principals of Colleges of Education, Ghana (PRINCOF); Prof. Smile Gavua Dzisi, Deputy Director-General (Management Service), GES; Dr. Munawaru Issahaque, Deputy Director-General (Quality and Access), Ghana Education Service (GES); D. W. Agbenyo, West African Examinations Council (WAEC).
The other members are Rosemond Wilson (PhD), WAEC; Augustus Agyemfra, Conference of Directors of Education (CoDE); David Odjidja, Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS); Addo Nicholas Nii Kpakpoe, Conference of Heads of Basic Schools (COHBS); and Prince Charles Agyemang-Duah, Schools & Instructions Division, GES.
The committee’s chairman assured the minister of their commitment to delivering on the mandate efficiently.
Also present at the ceremony were Clement Apaak, Dep. Minister for Education; Prof. Ernest Kofi Davis, Director-General of GES; and Prof. George K.T. Oduro, Technical Advisor to the Minister, among others.
Prof. Ernest Davis, taking his turn, emphasised that these reforms seek to strengthen the FSHS policy, ensuring equitable access and improved quality in secondary education.
