The Institute for Education Studies (IFEST) has declared that World Bank funding alone will not be enough to eliminate Ghana's double-track Senior High School (SHS) system by 2027. This assessment directly challenges the government's announced timeline for phasing out the system. The Executive Director of IFEST, Dr. Peter Anti Partey, stated that the timeline does not align with the implementation schedule of the recently approved World Bank education support facility.
Dr. Anti Partey explained that while the World Bank funding provides a significant boost to secondary education infrastructure, procurement procedures and project implementation timelines make the government's 2027 target unrealistic. He noted that major infrastructure projects financed by development partners typically involve extensive procurement, contracting, and execution processes. These procedures alone could prevent the necessary infrastructure from being completed within a year, pushing the actual completion date closer to 2030.
This development comes after the Finance Minister, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, announced in the 2026 Mid-Year Budget Review that the government had secured a World Bank facility. This funding aims to accelerate infrastructure expansion in second-cycle institutions. The goal is to phase out the double-track system, which was introduced in 2018 to accommodate increased SHS enrollment under the Free Senior High School policy. The government's plan involves upgrading 50 major schools, including elevating 30 Category C schools to Category B and 20 Category B schools to Category A. It also includes expanding dormitories, lecture halls, and dining facilities to increase student capacity and improve teacher-student contact hours.
Speaking on JoyNews, Dr. Anti Partey described the financing package as timely. He cautioned against raising expectations that might be difficult to fulfill. He stressed that the World Bank facility was approved only recently, and Ghana's procurement processes are known for their lengthy nature. Dr. Anti Partey highlighted that the project plan itself indicates an end date closer to 2030, not 2027. He concluded that relying solely on the World Bank facility makes the 2027 target unfeasible.
The education policy analyst suggested that the government must either revise its implementation timetable or identify additional funding sources. Complementary interventions are also needed if the 2027 target is to be met. He maintained that expanding infrastructure is essential to ending the double-track system. However, realistic timelines are equally important to ensure public confidence in education sector reforms. Education experts have consistently argued that abolishing the double-track system depends heavily on the timely provision of additional classrooms, dormitories, laboratories, and other facilities.
The double-track system was a response to the sharp increase in SHS enrollment. This increase followed the introduction of the Free Senior High School policy. Successive governments have pledged to abolish the system. However, the current timeline faces significant scrutiny from independent educational bodies. The implications for students and the education sector could be substantial if the 2027 target is missed. This situation highlights the complexities of large-scale public infrastructure projects and their funding mechanisms.