Double Track System: Ghana Education Service announces plans to end system by 2027

The Ghana Education Service (GES) has officially announced its plan to phase out the double-track system by the year 2027.

This system, introduced in 2018 to accommodate the surge in student enrollment following the implementation of the Free Senior High School policy, has faced criticism for its impact on academic quality and student well-being.

According to Dr Munawaru Issahaque, Deputy Director-General for Quality and Access at GES, the service is working closely with university experts and the Ministry of Education to ensure a smooth transition back to the traditional single-track calendar.

Dr Issahaque emphasised that the goal is to restore the conventional academic structure, which allows all students to attend school simultaneously without alternating tracks.

He noted that over 90 schools currently operating under the double-track system will begin transitioning to single-track starting in October 2025.

This phased approach is designed to minimise disruption and ensure that infrastructure and staffing levels are adequate to support the change.

The Education Minister, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ending the double-track system during his engagement with the Conference of Heads of Government-Assisted Senior High Schools (CHASS) at Sunyani Technical University.

He highlighted ongoing investments in school infrastructure, including classroom blocks and dormitories, as key enablers of the transition.

These developments are expected to ease congestion and improve the overall learning environment for students across the country.

Stakeholders in the education sector have welcomed the announcement, viewing it as a positive step toward enhancing academic standards and student experience.

Parents and teachers alike have expressed relief at the prospect of returning to a more stable and predictable school calendar.

As the 2027 deadline approaches, GES and its partners will continue to monitor progress and address any challenges that arise to ensure the successful elimination of the double-track system.