Government is seeking to implement the double track system into the Ghana education system to enable it cope with the growing number of free SHS applicants. A decision that received varied public reaction. For the National Association of Graduate Teachers, implementation of the double track system is rushed. Instead of a full implementation in two months NAGRAT will rather a pilot phase is introduced first.
The double track system will allow for senior high school students to attend school in batches. The new system will also fade out the current trimester terms for a semester. This means as a batch is on break after nearly 6 months in school another assumes their place for teaching and learning to continue. Government suggests this new system should be the status quo for the next 7 years at least. Critics of this new plan have rejected government’s idea over fears of a reduction in the quality of education. One such critic is Imani Africa. The policy think tank would rather government consults broadly before implementing its knee jerk solution to huge influx of SHS students.
Teacher group NAGRAT for instance does not seem to even understand what the new system is all about, let alone its name! President, Angel Carbonu is wondering why such a major education policy has not had a stakeholder sensitization to help parents, teachers and students adequately acclimatise to the new upheaval. He would rather the system is piloted in September to allow for broader consultation.
During its 7-year practice period, the government hopes to complete the needed infrastructure to accommodate the students who wish to enjoy the benefits of free SHS. We hit the streets of Accra to gauge people’s knowledge of this new system to take effect in two months.
