Education Minister, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, is cautioning against the hasty abolition of the double-track system, highlighting the potentially devastating impact on students’ futures.
His warning follows a pledge by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to eliminate the double-track system if elected in the upcoming 2024 elections.
Dr. Adutwum insists that the system’s phasing out must be executed strategically, beginning with the expansion of facilities to accommodate a larger student body.
During a recent presentation on the State of Ghana’s Education to clergy in the Ashanti Region, Dr. Adutwum noted the government’s ongoing efforts through the Ministry of Education to construct additional accommodation facilities in various schools.
He explained that while progress is being made, it is essential to approach the transition from the double-track system thoughtfully.
Schools like Tamale Senior School are already moving away from the double-track model due to these improvements, and similar plans are in motion for others.
Dr. Adutwum emphasized the risks of canceling the double-track system purely for political gain, warning that such actions could exacerbate existing educational challenges.
He pointed out that abolishing the system at prominent schools would lead to a critical shortage of available spaces for incoming students.
“Do we cancel it in the name of politics and push 1,500 students away from Opoku Ware? It’s our choice, but that choice is disastrous,” he stated, underscoring the importance of prioritizing students’ educational needs over political motivations.
