The National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) has called upon the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service (GES) to reconsider the academic calendar and revert to the trimester system.
This move comes as a response to the challenges posed by the increasing student population and the extended teaching periods, which have placed significant pressure on both teachers and the management of second-cycle institutions.
Addressing the media during a press conference held on Wednesday, September 27, 2023, NAGRAT emphasized the need for the government to discontinue the double-track system.
The double-track system was initially introduced approximately seven years ago in tandem with the Free Senior High School (SHS) program. President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo justified the introduction of the double-track system by citing the inadequacy of school facilities to accommodate the growing number of students at the time.
However, the government had assured stakeholders that the double-track system would be a temporary measure and would be phased out within five years. This commitment was based on the promise that the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) would fund the construction of additional facilities and structures in schools to accommodate the increasing student population.
Unfortunately, as of the present, two years have passed since the five-year timeframe lapsed, and approximately 40% of SHSs still operate under the double-track system. This ongoing reliance on the double-track system has led to attendance issues and numerous challenges, placing an overwhelming burden on school management and teachers.
Consequently, NAGRAT has called upon the Ghana Education Service (GES), the Ministry of Education, and the government as a whole to reset the academic calendar to its previous format.
Furthermore, they have urged the GETFund to provide an explanation to the Ghanaian public regarding the delays in constructing the necessary infrastructure to accommodate students.
The plea from NAGRAT reflects the concerns and frustrations of educators and school administrators who are grappling with the strains imposed by the current academic calendar and the lingering double-track system.
It remains to be seen how the government will respond to these calls and address the pressing issues surrounding the Ghanaian education system.
Source: GESHub.org
