Dr. Adutwum highlights success of Double-Track System in boosting access to Free Senior High Schools

The Minister of Education, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, has defended the double-track system under Ghana’s Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy, highlighting its critical role in broadening access to quality education for Ghanaian students.

Despite growing calls from stakeholders to discontinue the system, Dr. Adutwum cautioned that removing it could hinder thousands of students from benefiting from free secondary education.

Dr. Adutwum’s remarks came during an unannounced visit to Presbyterian Boys’ Secondary School (PRESEC) in Accra, where he engaged with Citi News to discuss the ongoing debate.

He explained that the double-track system was introduced to mitigate facility constraints, particularly in high-demand schools, allowing them to accommodate more students despite limited infrastructure.

“As we expand our facilities, some schools are gradually transitioning away from the double-track model. Yet, until all schools have the necessary capacity, the double-track system remains indispensable. For example, PRESEC, a top choice for students across Ghana, simply lacks enough space to admit all applicants at once. Until we can fully expand, the double-track arrangement helps us serve more students," the Education Minister said.

Highlighting current progress, he noted that several schools have already shifted back to a single-track system as new facilities become available.

However, he emphasised that in high-demand institutions like PRESEC, where space is still limited, the system is carefully structured to maximize access.

"Right now, a third of PRESEC’s student body remains home while two-thirds attend school, allowing us to manage enrollment until all students can be on campus simultaneously,” he explained.

In defending the policy, Dr. Adutwum reiterated the government’s commitment to both expanding educational infrastructure and maintaining free access for all eligible students.