Educationist and Governance Analyst, Mr. George Akom has stated that the successful implementation of the Free Senior High School (FSHS) in Ghana was successful because of the controversial double track system which was introduced. He continued that considering the number of students that qualified to be enrolled into the various secondary schools relative to the capacity of each school, there was no way a single track could have been able to accommodate the high number of students due to the introduction of the FSHS policy. Mr. Akom further addressed that although the double track system came with its controversies and challenges, it turned to be the best alternative and ingenious way under the circumstances of our present infrastructure deficit. He emphasized, that had it not been the introduction of the double track, many of the students would have been deprived from getting access to secondary education thereby creating inequality and unfairness to them. He mentioned again, that although, the whole policy of the FSHS met several challenges because of diverse opinions held by the citizens and how they perceived the programme from political and economics dimensions, its implementation took bold steps and efforts from the government. He iterated that without commensurate infrastructural development across schools in the country to accommodate the growing numbers of students, any attempt to abolish the double track system would undermine the key objectives of the FSHS, and the ripple effect would be on parents and potential students. He added that the progressively inclusion agenda was a well touted intervention, but in some part, denied many potential students the opportunity to have access to secondary education; because many who could not have the chance found themselves somewhere in apprenticeship and other laborious environment, and girls among them got married along the way. The Free Senior High School policy is seen by many from political angle, but its implementation is universal to many Ghanaians. The policy doesnt discriminate in terms of race, religion and ethnicity. It does not bear any political discrimination to any parent or potential student. The indirect benefits of the programme to many citizens are many. The programmes future benefits are enormous in the areas of civilization and modernization of the country, Mr. Akom said. He averred that the FSHS policy, more particularly the double track system could offer many other employable skills opportunities to students if it is well structured. He indicated that some modules like Work Immersion could be introduced in the FSHS to prepare the students into the world of work and offer others who could not progress to the next level of their education some apprenticeship and hands on skills. Work Immersion is a well touted module adopted by many countries that faced with heavy unemployment situation from high school dropouts and graduates. The module operates in a manner where a Senior High School student has to undergo Work Immersion in an industry that directly relates to the student’s postsecondary goal. These prepare them to meet the needs and challenges of employment or higher education after graduation. He intimated that the problem of Ghanas educational systems is how student could get practical skills to make them self employed after completing their programme of study, and that should direct where our educational goals be focused to break the cycle of high unemployment situation in the country. Mr. George Akom, who is also Assistant Registrar of the Ghana Communication Technology University, opined, that for any government to abolish the double track system, massive infrastructural development must be in place to accommodate the student enrollment in senior high schools. He emphasized that with the double track in place, instructional and contact hours should be the priority to make sure that students complete the curriculum without challenges, and also advocated that a better academic calendar should be in place at all times for students to enjoy their extra curricula activities which also form part of their training.
