A majority of Ghanaians surveyed believe the double-track system in senior high schools (SHS) has contributed to a decline in the quality of secondary education, citing pressure on school infrastructure and student-teacher ratios.
A nationwide survey conducted by the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) in August 2026 found that 64.7% of 1,062 respondents across Ghana’s 16 regions believe the double-track system has negatively affected the quality of SHS education.
The survey comes eight years after the government introduced the double-track system as a temporary measure to manage the sharp increase in student enrolment following the implementation of the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) programme.
According to the IEA findings, 20.2% of respondents said the double-track system had improved the quality of education, while 14.7% believed it had no significant effect. Another 0.2% expressed no opinion.
Free SHS Enrolment Puts Pressure on School Infrastructure
The double-track system was introduced in 2018 after the increase in Free SHS enrolment placed significant pressure on existing school infrastructure, classrooms and teaching resources.
Under the arrangement, students are divided into two groups that attend school during different periods. This allows more students to access existing classrooms and other facilities without requiring immediate construction of entirely new schools.
However, the continued use of the system has generated debate over its impact on education quality, teaching and learning conditions, school facilities and student-teacher ratios.
54.3% Support Borrowing to Build New Schools
The IEA survey also examined whether the government should borrow money to construct additional schools as a long-term strategy to phase out the double-track system.
The findings showed that 54.3% of respondents supported government borrowing to finance additional SHS infrastructure.
Meanwhile, 38.4% opposed borrowing for the construction of new school infrastructure, while 6.2% said they had no opinion.
The issue of borrowing was particularly relevant among respondents who believed the double-track system had reduced the quality of SHS education.
Among this group, 60.8% supported government borrowing to construct additional school infrastructure, while 38.4% opposed the proposal and 0.8% expressed no opinion.
Public Debt Concerns Remain
The IEA noted that support for expanding school infrastructure exists alongside concerns about Ghana’s public debt and government finances.
According to the policy think tank, while many Ghanaians favour investment in new schools to help end the double-track system, a significant proportion would prefer the government to consider alternative financing arrangements rather than increase the country’s debt burden.
The IEA said the survey highlights two major concerns: the need to expand SHS infrastructure to improve education quality and the importance of ensuring that financing such expansion does not place additional pressure on Ghana’s public finances.
The findings are likely to add to the ongoing national discussion about the future of the Free SHS programme, double-track education system and investment in secondary school infrastructure in Ghana.
Source: newsthemegh.com