Multi-track SHS system will encourage ‘deviancy’ – Franklin Cudjoe

President of policy think tank, IMANI Africa, Franklin Cudjoe says the recommendation for double intake within the various senior high schools known as multi-track system will promote “deviancy.”

“I do not necessarily buy the idea of multi-track system. That encourages some deviancy along the way,” he said.

There’re reports that government has agreed to implement proposals for a “multi-track calendar system” for senior high school education in the country following proposals from Former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Education, Winneba, Professor Jophus Anamuah-Mensah to ease pressure on infrastructure at the various high schools.

The education sector has been battling with several challenges which span from infrastructure to students’ poor performance at both Junior High School and Senior High School levels.
Reports show that out of the over 500,000 students who graduate from Junior High School in Ghana, not all of them are able to go to SHS not only due to failure, but also as a result of inadequate space at the secondary school level.

With the multi-track system, per Prof. Anamuah-Mensah’s proposal, the number of prospective students would be enrolled within two separate entries, while the vacation periods are made to last longer.

He said for this to be possible, the three-term academic calendar system for Senior High Schools would have to be reduced to two semesters just like it exists in the universities.

The proposal has been met with varied opinions.

Speaking on Citi TV/Citi FM’s news analysis programme, The Big Issue over the weekend, Franklin Cudjoe reiterated his long-held view of government allowing wealthy families to fund their children’s education, whiles only the needy enjoy the free senior high school initiative.

“Before you jump, you look before you leap…Now we have the issue so we’ve moved away from whether we needed it or not. We have to deal with it…I can live with the idea that maybe we should have community schools that we can do, but it is also important that at the end of the day, as the basket becomes too big, one of the best things to do is to allow the well to do people to pay for their wards,” the IMANI boss stated.

Source: citinewsroom.com