Former Minister of Education, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, popularly known as NAPO, has defended the double-track system, asserting that Ghana recorded its best West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) results during its implementation.
Speaking in an interview on GHOne TV with Serwaa Amihere on December 18, NAPO said the policy, introduced under the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) programme, was a necessary intervention to manage rising student enrolment.
“The best WASSCE results happened under double-track,” he stated, emphasizing that student success during that period could not be attributed solely to the use of past questions.
He explained that improved outcomes were the result of multiple factors, including the provision of textbooks, timely grants, and better resourcing of schools. “These investments played a critical role in supporting teaching and learning,” NAPO added.
Addressing criticisms that the double-track system caused congestion in schools, he maintained that the policy expanded access without compromising academic standards.
He also rejected claims that Free SHS faced financial difficulties during his tenure, insisting the programme was adequately funded while he served as Education Minister.
Highlighting the broader impact of Free SHS, NAPO noted that higher school attendance helped keep children out of domestic labour and in classrooms, describing it as a transformative step for Ghanaian society.
His remarks come amid ongoing national debates over education reforms, WASSCE performance, and policy accountability across successive administrations.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
