Mahama reiterates government’s commitment to end double-track SHS system

President John Dramani Mahama has reaffirmed his government's determination to phase out the Double-Track System in Ghana's senior high schools (SHSs). By the conclusion of 2027, he vowed no school in the country would still be employing this system, ensuring all students attend and vacate simultaneously. This move, according to the President, would enhance contact hours between teachers and learners, thereby improving educational outcomes.

During a citizens' engagement in Wa, marking the conclusion of his two-day Resetting Ghana Tour of the Upper West Region, President Mahama disclosed that the government has secured a $300 million facility from the World Bank to aid in the elimination of the double-track system. He acknowledged the challenges faced by the education sector when the Free Senior High School programme was introduced without a dedicated funding source.

Schools had to rely on delayed budget releases, causing headmasters to frequently complain about inadequate funding and shortages of food. Students often had to subsist on whatever food items were available due to irregular supply deliveries.

The President noted that the government has since established dedicated funding for SHSs and student feeding programmes. This has led to a considerable reduction in headmasters' complaints about funding and meal supply issues. President Mahama also addressed the recent West Africa Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) results, which have sparked considerable public debate.

He refrained from debating the statistics, stating that the figures are available for everyone to examine. However, he expressed satisfaction that the results accurately reflect the genuine performance of students, attributing this development to improved invigilation and a reduction in organized examination malpractice.

The President emphasized that the era of students feeling entitled to leaked answers and attacking teachers for enforcing discipline must end. "Our children must succeed because they have learned, and our teachers must teach with integrity," he concluded.