Free SHS: 'Not too late to dialogue' – Mahama

Former President John Dramnai Mahama is questioning the sustainability of the newly-introduced double-track system for senior high schools in the country.

Government has explained that the two-track system is meant to cater for the spike in enrolment into Senior High Schools (SHSs) due to the free SHS policy.

The full implementation of the new system is expected to cost GHS323million. The objective of the double-track system is to create room to accommodate all the students, reduce class size, increase contact hours and increase the number of holidays.

The system is similar to the academic calendar used in the universities. With this system, each track will be in school for specific days for each semester and go on vacation and come back for the second semester. While the first track is in school, the second track will be on vacation and vice-versa.

Mr Mahama, in a tweet, said: “Introducing the shift system does not help to continue to implement this all-important free SHS programme on an ad hoc basis.”

He noted that: “It’s not too late to hold a comprehensive national consultation to forge a consensus on a sustainable framework for its implementation.”

Meanwhile, President Nana Akufo-Addo has asked for the support of Ghanaians in implementing the system.

Speaking at a durbar of chiefs and people of Wa on the final leg of his tour of the three regions up north, he said: “I am sure that in two or three years, the comments made by the representatives of the teachers about the quality of examination passes will be a thing of the past.

“So, I want you to support this dual-intake system as being a very efficient way of dealing with this large class thing,” the President added.

Introducing shift system for SHS? It doesn’t help to continue to implement this all important free SHS programme on an ad hoc basis. It’s not too late to hold a comprehensive national consultation to forge a consensus on a sustainable framework for its implementation. #Ghana

— John Dramani Mahama (@JDMahama) July 25, 2018