We’re Building More Classrooms, Hostels To End Double-Track System – Bawumia

Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has said government is fast-tracking the completion of school infrastructure projects to end the double-track system under the Free SHS programme.

He said the government is working assiduously to build more hostels and classrooms needed to accommodate students under the Free Senior High School policy and eventually phase out the Double-Track system.

Speaking at Abirew in the Eastern Region on Saturday during the climax of the 30th Anniversary celebration of the enstoolment of Ogyeahoho Kwame Henaku II, Abirewhene and Werepimhene of Akuapem, the Vice President said the double track was introduced due to the increase in SHS enrollment because of the Free SHS program.

“We've had to introduce the double track system as a way of dealing with this major temporarily increase in the students. We are building the infrastructure in schools and in a few years, the double track system will be history,” he said.

Dr. Bawumia explained that the Free SHS programme had resulted in 69% increase in SHS enrollment.

“In the first three years of this policy (Free SHS), we have seen enrollment in Ghana for senior high school education increased by 69%. That is a very high level of increase,” Dr Bawumia said.

“Many of these children, if it had not been for free Senior High School education would've been seated at home, and we would have had to contend with the problems, later on in life, of these children,” he added.

Meanwhile, in order to enable final year students to have ample time to prepare for the 2020 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), all form three Senior High school students are expected to reopen school today across the country.

This is according to a press release by the Ghana Education Service. Also, form 1 and 2 green track students, as well as their form 1 gold track counterparts, will reopen on the same day to complete their 1^st term.

Form 2 gold track students will return to school on the 1^st of March 2020.

The Ghana Education Service explains that the academic calendar has been well planned to ensure all student undergo the 8 months of school contact hours.

---citinewsroom