Minister for Education Haruna Iddrisu, has announced plans by Government to allocate a significant sum of one billion Ghana cedis from the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) to phase out the double-track system in senior high schools. The Minister, stated that the funds would be included in the 2026 national budget.
The announcement was made during the commissioning of a new staff accommodation facility at Accra Girls’ Senior High School. According to Mr. Iddrisu, this substantial investment is central to President Mahama’s vision for enhancing the quality of senior high school education.
Addressing Infrastructure Deficit
The proposed investment aims to tackle the long-standing infrastructure deficit that necessitated the double-track system. The Education Minister noted that the funds would be used to complete stalled projects, including classroom blocks and assembly halls, to ensure all students can be accommodated in a single, unified system.
“We remain committed to ending the double-track system as our contribution to improving the quality of senior high school education,” Mr. Iddrisu quoted President Mahama as saying. “He has directed the Minister of Finance to make an allocation of one billion Ghana cedis, dedicated to managing the transition and responding to the challenges of the transition.”
Commitment to Free SHS and Digital Solutions
Mr. Iddrisu, who is also the Member of Parliament for Tamale South, reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy, assuring the public that it will not be discontinued. He added that the government will explore and implement additional measures, such as digital solutions, to expand access to quality education.
“Free Senior High School has come to stay,” he stated. “His administration would work to enhance the program by investing in infrastructure and improving literacy and numeracy rates across the country.”
