Adutwum cautions against sudden end to double-track system, warns of student enrolment

The Minister of Education, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, has warned against the hasty abolition of the double-track system, cautioning that such a move could disrupt educational access and prevent thousands of students from enrolling in senior high schools.
His remarks follow the National Democratic Congress’s (NDC) pledge to end the double-track system if elected in 2024, a move Dr. Adutwum believes could have “disastrous” consequences for student enrolment.
Addressing clergy members in the Ashanti Region on Tuesday, 29 October 2024, Dr. Adutwum highlighted the need for a gradual, strategic phasing out of the double-track system rather than an immediate cessation.
He explained that the government has already started to phase out double-track by constructing additional facilities across several schools to accommodate the rising demand for high school enrollment.
“When the concept of double-track was introduced in Ghana, it was to meet the increased demand in enrollment in our High Schools, especially the category A schools,” he stated, underscoring the role of the Free Senior High School policy in boosting student numbers.
Dr. Adutwum noted that significant progress has been made in removing schools from the double-track system, citing specific examples.
“A number of the schools are no longer double-track. For instance, Tamale Senior High School is no longer double-track. We’re also working on Opoku Ware Senior High School, which is likely to exit the system in the coming academic year because we have built more facilities there,” he said.
Warning against politically driven motives, Dr. Adutwum asserted: “Some people say they will abolish double-track, and I say to myself, they don’t know what they are talking about.”
He explained that the current infrastructure could not sustain enrollment levels without the double-track system, stating: “If you abolish the double track at Prempeh College today, they will not be able to enroll one student. Presec will not take in one student. If you don’t want double-track and you cancel it, 1,500 students who are going this year will not have space, so they can’t go.”
Dr. Adutwum also questioned the consequences of abruptly ending the system without adequate preparations.
“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 cautioned.
The government’s ongoing infrastructure expansion aims to gradually accommodate students without the need for double-track, with plans to continue extending these improvements to more schools.
Dr. Adutwum stressed that a premature end to the double-track system could undermine recent educational gains and limit opportunities for students across the country.
Source: classfmonline.com
Trending News
Weija-Gbawe MP urges Muslims to uphold peace for national development
09:31Weija-Gbawe MP urges urgent action on flooding in Accra
08:22NPP supporters angry with Ken Agyapong over his religious and tribal remarks against Bawumia
16:35V/R: NPA support victims of Ketu South tidal waves with relief items
08:08Ghanaians unhappy with Kennedy Agyepong’s religious and tribal hate speech against Bawumia
16:29Defence Minister donates food items to Ghana Armed Forces
02:59‘Put Ofori-Atta on ballot today and I wonder if even his wife’ll vote for him’ – Agongo
09:48Gov't redirecting dedicated funds from Agenda 111 projects – Amin Adam claims
02:0357% of NPP supporters prefer Bawumia to run for 2028 - Global InfoAnalytics
07:09Mahama helped Ken Agyapong recover ‘locked-up’ ECG funds – Agongo says, ‘kind-hearted JM crucifies no one, even eats with enemies’
11:26