Double Track System: GES explains implementation processes

The Ghana Education Service (GES) has stated that Senior High Schools all over the country are ready to admit the first batch of students under the controversial double-track system.

Schools have been provided with the necessary educational tools, health services, as well as the calendar for the semester, the Director General of the Ghana Education Service, Professor Kwasi Opoku-Amankwa has stated at a media briefing.

The first batch of candidates placed on the GREEN TRACK, according to the 2018/2019 Academic Year are expected to “resume” on September 11, 2018 and vacate on November 6, 2018 for the first semester.

Second half for the first semester (Form 1) will start classes from January 3, 2018 to March 5, 2018.

However, GOLD TRACK (Second batch) will start on November 8, 2018 and end the session on March 5, 2018 for the first semester.

On the other hand single track schools will have their session from September 11, 2018 to December 22, 2018, for the first semester.

Candidates will spend 162 days in the classroom which is equivalent to 81 teaching days each semester.

Giving a breakdown of the procurement of notebooks, exercise books and P.E. kits, and technical drawing instruments, Professor Kwasi Opoku-Amankwa, stated that items are currently being distributed to the Regional Directorates to be collected by respective Senior High Schools.

This follows contracts awarded to successful tenders after an announcement by the Ministry of Education inviting bidders for the procurement of the school items.

A regional distribution of establishment supplies for the 2018/2019 Academic Year includes a total of 4, 254, 570, exercise books, 1, 890,920 notebooks, 472, 730 .E. kits while technical drawing instruments numbered up to 46, 246 for the 400 double track schools.

Also it was announced at the meeting that fumigation and pest control services continue for the first batch of students benefitting from the system.

New entrants to Senior High Schools for this academic year will be screened. It is expected that all SHS One students would be screened at designated facilities with trained personnel assigned to all schools by the Ghana Health Service (GES).

The purpose is to ensure early identification of health problems for prompt management and to prevent transmission of communicable diseases.

Hence, schools are to ensure that students go to these facilities to be screened as part of the requirements for admission.



Meanwhile, the GES Director said that parents who have not had any placements for their wards should not panic but be rest assured that government is working to ensure every child is enrolled into the various SHS.