Free SHS: Double track is research-driven and result-oriented – Adutwum

Minister of Education, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, has once again cautioned against calls to eliminate the double-track system in secondary education, warning that its removal could restrict access to free senior high school education for countless Ghanaian students.

His remarks come amid growing calls from some stakeholders who argue that the double-track system is problematic and should be abolished.

However, Dr Adutwum contends that the system is crucial in expanding educational opportunities and ensuring more students benefit from the government’s Free Senior High School policy.

During an unannounced visit to the Presbyterian Boys’ Secondary School (PRESEC), Dr. Adutwum spoke with Citi News, where he elaborated on the rationale behind the double-track system.

He underscored that the double-track system was designed with a commitment to increase access to secondary education across Ghana, particularly in high-demand schools where facility limitations have historically restricted enrollment.

Dr. Adutwum noted that as certain schools expand their facilities, some have started to move away from the double-track system.

Nevertheless, he emphasised that until more institutions have the resources to accommodate larger numbers, the double-track system remains essential.

“This year, a number of schools are moving away from Double Track because they have enough facilities. So the whole premise is this, every young man growing up in Ghana wants to come to PRESEC. What does that mean for us as a nation? We need to provide more facilities so that PRESEC can educate more students for us.

“But until we get those facilities, it makes sense to divide the PRESEC population into three, keep one at home while two of them are here until such a time that you can put up more buildings and all of them will come at the same time. So it’s well thought through.

“This system has been used in a number of countries around the world, including the United States of America. So what we are introducing here is research-driven. If the double track is such a bad thing, Why is it that PRESEC has implemented it and they have gotten better outcomes than when there was no double track?”