President Mahama Pledges to End Double-Track SHS System by 2027 with $300m World Bank Support

President John Mahama has reaffirmed his administration's commitment to phasing out the double-track system in senior high schools (SHSs) by the end of 2027. Speaking during a Citizens’ Engagement in Wa as part of his ‘Resetting Ghana Tour,’ the President revealed that a $300 million facility from the World Bank has been secured to facilitate this transition. This initiative is designed to ensure that all students attend and vacate school simultaneously, thereby increasing teacher-student contact hours and improving overall educational outcomes across the country. Mahama emphasized that ending the system is a priority for restoring stability to the academic calendar. Addressing the financial sustainability of the sector, President Mahama noted that his government has established dedicated funding mechanisms for SHSs and student feeding programs. He acknowledged that the Free SHS program previously faced significant resource shortages due to a lack of stable funding inherited from the past administration. However, with the new financing structures in place, the President reported a marked decrease in complaints from headteachers regarding food shortages and logistical constraints. He assured stakeholders that the government is committed to maintaining a consistent supply of resources to all second-cycle institutions to prevent future disruptions. The President also touched upon the integrity of national examinations, expressing satisfaction with the latest West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) results. He asserted that the current scores reflect the ‘genuine performance’ of students, attributing the improvement to stricter invigilation and a crackdown on mass cheating. Mahama criticized past instances where some school officials allegedly colluded to assist students, leading to inflated grades. While celebrating gains in subjects like Mathematics, he noted that a slight decline in Social Studies performance is currently under investigation to ensure future academic excellence and transparency. In addition to infrastructure and examination reforms, President Mahama moved to clarify rumors regarding the national curriculum. He stated emphatically that the Cabinet has not approved any policy to introduce Arabic or Chinese as compulsory subjects, noting that while foreign languages remain optional for upper primary levels, the focus remains on foundational learning in Ghanaian and English languages. Amidst these policy updates, the Association of Aggrieved Teachers of Legacy Arrears has urged the President to prioritize the payment of outstanding arrears from 2012 to 2015. Settling these legacy debts remains a key demand from the teaching workforce as the government continues its broader effort to ‘reset’ the nation's educational standards.