President John Mahama has announced a bold plan to end the Double Track System in Ghana by 2027 through the $300 million STARR-J project, school upgrades, teacher development, and major infrastructure investments.
Ferdinand Ellis , June 22| President John Dramani Mahama has given his strongest commitment yet to ending the Double Track System in Ghana, announcing that all public senior high schools should operate under a single-track system by 2027.
The President made the announcement in Accra while outlining government plans to expand educational infrastructure and improve access to quality secondary education through the Transformative Secondary Education for Access, Results and Relevance for Jobs (STARR-J) project.
The initiative, supported by a $300 million World Bank facility, is expected to significantly increase school capacity and address infrastructure challenges that led to the introduction of the double-track system in 2018.
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Key Highlights
- Ghana plans to eliminate the Double Track System by 2027.
- The STARR-J project is backed by a $300 million World Bank facility.
- Fifty senior high schools will receive major upgrades.
- Thirty Category C schools will be upgraded to Category B.
- Twenty Category B schools will be elevated to Category A.
- New E-block community day schools will be constructed.
- Teachers will benefit from AI and digital literacy training.
- Government has allocated GH¢1 billion through GETFund for school infrastructure projects.
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Mahama Sets Firm 2027 Deadline for Ending Double Track System
Speaking at the event, President Mahama stated that government remains committed to completely phasing out the double-track arrangement within the next year.
According to him, the STARR-J project will provide the necessary infrastructure expansion required to absorb increasing student enrolment without relying on staggered academic calendars.
“By 2027, there should be no secondary school implementing a double track system in Ghana,” President Mahama declared.
He further noted that the STARR-J project would help government achieve its objective of restoring a full academic calendar across all public senior high schools.
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STARR-J Project to Upgrade 50 Senior High Schools Across Ghana
A major component of the programme involves upgrading 50 senior high schools nationwide.
Under the project, 30 Category C schools will be upgraded to Category B status, while 20 Category B schools will be elevated to Category A.
President Mahama emphasized that the investment extends beyond infrastructure development.
According to him, the initiative is intended to improve educational equity, expand opportunities, and enhance learning outcomes for students across the country.
He described the project as a strategic intervention aimed at strengthening Ghana’s secondary education system for long-term national development.
New Community Day Schools Expected to Reduce Pressure on Boarding Facilities
The President also announced plans to revive the community day school concept through the construction of new E-block facilities in urban and peri-urban communities.
The move is expected to reduce pressure on overcrowded boarding schools while allowing more learners to access quality education closer to their homes.
President Mahama explained that increasing access to community-based secondary education would help balance enrolment distribution and reduce infrastructure strain in high-demand schools.
The initiative forms part of broader efforts to improve accessibility while maintaining educational quality.
Why Ghana Introduced the Double Track System
The Double Track System was introduced in September 2018 following a significant increase in senior high school enrolment under the Free Senior High School policy.
The policy resulted in more than a 30 percent increase in admissions, creating immediate pressure on existing infrastructure and classroom space.
To accommodate the surge, students were divided into Green Track and Gold Track cohorts, alternating between periods of school attendance and vacation.
While the arrangement expanded access to secondary education, it attracted criticism from parents, teacher unions, education experts, and civil society organisations.
Concerns focused on reduced instructional time, extended periods at home, curriculum delivery challenges, and increased pressure on teachers and learners.
For a deeper understanding of the policy, read How Free SHS Changed Secondary Education in Ghana and The History of the Double Track System in Ghana’s SHSs.
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Teacher Development and AI Training Included in STARR-J Reforms
Beyond infrastructure expansion, the STARR-J project will invest heavily in teacher professional development.
The programme will provide continuous professional development opportunities for teachers, focusing on:
- Digital literacy
- Artificial intelligence integration
- Modern teaching methodologies
- Technology-enhanced learning
The reforms align with ongoing efforts to strengthen teaching quality and prepare educators for future classroom demands.
Teachers interested in professional growth can also explore Understanding CPD Points for Teachers in Ghana, Artificial Intelligence in Education: Opportunities for Teachers, and Digital Skills Every Ghanaian Teacher Needs Today.
Mahama Announces Major Teacher Promotion Reforms
President Mahama also unveiled significant changes to teacher career progression within the education sector.
According to him, promotion to senior positions will no longer depend solely on the availability of administrative vacancies.
Instead, career advancement will be based on merit, competence, experience, performance, and years of dedicated service.
The announcement has been welcomed by many educators who have long advocated for a more transparent and performance-based promotion structure.
Related reading includes GES Promotion Reforms Explained, Teacher Career Progression in Ghana, and What Every Teacher Should Know About Professional Advancement.
GH¢1 Billion GETFund Allocation to Support Infrastructure Expansion
To accelerate implementation, government has allocated GH¢1 billion through the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) to complete stalled infrastructure projects in schools currently operating under the double-track arrangement.
The funding is expected to support classroom expansion, dormitory projects, laboratories, libraries, and other critical facilities needed to transition schools to a single-track academic calendar.
Education analysts believe sustained investment in infrastructure will be crucial if the 2027 target is to be achieved successfully.
Additional insights can be found in Ghana’s Education Budget Explained, Infrastructure Challenges in Ghanaian Schools, and How Education Funding Impacts Learning Outcomes.
What the End of Double Track Could Mean for Students
If successfully implemented, the elimination of the Double Track System could have significant implications for Ghana’s education sector.
Students may benefit from:
- A more stable academic calendar
- Increased instructional time
- Improved access to facilities
- Better learning continuity
- Enhanced academic performance
However, experts argue that infrastructure delivery, funding consistency, and effective project management will ultimately determine whether the transition succeeds.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ghana’s Double Track System
When will Ghana end the Double Track System?
President Mahama has stated that the system should be completely phased out by 2027.
What is the STARR-J Project?
The STARR-J Project is a $300 million World Bank-supported education programme aimed at improving secondary education access, infrastructure, quality, and relevance.
Why was the Double Track System introduced?
It was introduced in 2018 following increased enrolment resulting from the Free SHS policy.
How many schools will benefit from STARR-J?
Fifty senior high schools are expected to receive upgrades under the programme.
Will teachers benefit from the STARR-J project?
Yes. The project includes teacher professional development, digital literacy training, and artificial intelligence integration programmes.
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External References
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