The Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has announced plans to make significant changes to the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy, including plans to scrap the double-track system currently in place as well as expand the policy to cover private schools.

Speaking on Mr. Iddrisu explained that the Free SHS policy will now include private schools to allow more students to access secondary education.

"We have decided to expand the intake of Free SHS to private schools in Ghana," Mr. Iddrisu stated. "This means that when the computerised placement system is used, 150,000 students will be placed in private senior high schools, in addition to those in public schools."

This move is part of a broader effort by the government to phase out the double-track system within the next two to three years.

Mr. Iddrisu highlighted the need for substantial infrastructure investment to achieve this goal. "Our goal is to end the double-track system, and this will require significant investment in infrastructure," he stressed.

Mr. Iddrisu also revealed plans to extend the Free SHS policy beyond secondary education to include all tertiary students.

"We want to ensure that every student in tertiary education benefits from the same support provided at the secondary level," he added, reinforcing the government's commitment to making education accessible to all.

Meanwhile, Mr. Iddrisu has initiated an audit into the controversial Senior High School (SHS) Wi-Fi contract.

He confirmed that the audit’s findings will be made public within the next two to three weeks.

"I have commissioned an audit into the SHS Wi-Fi contract and requested that the findings be publicly disclosed within the next two to three weeks," Mr. Iddrisu explained.

"The process will be open and competitive to secure a new supplier to enhance school connectivity. Whatever occurred in the past is under investigation, and I will not comment further on it at this time."he added.

Mr. Iddrisu emphasised that improving internet access for students is his priority. "What is important is that students have reliable internet connectivity. If a Ghanaian partner, such as Starlink, can help achieve this, we are open to such collaborations," he said. "We are looking for any Ghanaian company capable of rolling out robust broadband infrastructure to support school connectivity, and this will be part of the open competitive process."

The Minister made it clear that there are no plans to renew the previous Wi-Fi contract, as the process will be subjected to a full IT audit before being publicly advertised.

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