Comprehensive review of the double-track policy in Ghana : challenges, prospects and perceived success

Abstract

In September 2017, the Ghanaian government decided to implement a policy of offering complimentary secondary school education to all individuals who have successfully completed Junior High School. The Free Senior High School (FSHS) policy was anticipated to yield benefits for a significant number of students upon their completion of secondary education. The provision of a high-quality education for all students in Ghana is a fundamental objective which has been addressed through the implementation of the Free SHS policy. However, the implementation of Free SHS policy has resulted in a significant surge in high school enrolment within recent years necessitating the introduction of the double track policy. There is a prevailing concern among Ghanaians regarding the potential implementation of double track policy, as it is feared that it may lead to a decline in the standard of secondary education. This made this study necessary and pivotal. The main objective of this study was to examine the potential for implementing a dual track secondary education system in Ghana. Several research sub-questions were created to help achieve the goal. Advocacy Coalition Framework served as the theoretical foundation that underpinned this study. A descriptive research design was selected for this study. Both interpretivist and positivist paradigms were used. The methodology of choice for gathering and analysing both sets of data was qualitative and quantitative. MS Excel was used to analyse data. Questionnaires and interview guides were used to collect the data. Heads, teachers and students from various selected Senior High Schools were used in the study. In addition, a simple random sampling technique was used to select respondents. Data produced were imported into Microsoft Excel for quantitative data analysis while qualitative data was analysed thematically. The results demonstrated the difficulties and opportunities that are encountered when implementing the double track policy. The results highlighted different approaches adopted by stakeholders to carry out its effective implementation as well as problems resulting from their decisions. The findings also identified and described elements that enhanced or hampered the government’s ability to effectively implement the double track policy. The recommendations were used to develop an empirical framework that emphasises key factors that must be considered concurrently to successfully implement the Free SHS policy as well as the double track policy. This was a remarkable accomplishment despite all the obstacles encountered. In conclusion, this case study offered insightful information about the challenges involved in the implementation of double track policy. The goal of the study was to develop a framework for the effective implementation of the double track policy to positively influence the quality of Senior High School education in Ghana. It was designed with four objectives in mind: assessing the views of teachers, head teachers and students on the quality of teaching and learning in the SHSs, examining the effect of the double track on the quality of education at the SHS level, analysing the academic outcomes of students before and after the introduction of the double-track in SHSs and exploring the best practices of the Double Track on the quality of education. All stakeholders in the educational sector may find general use for the study's findings.