Double-Track and Teacher Shortages Flagged as Top Education Concerns in Mid-Year Review
Accra, July 23, 2026
Education delivery was one of the major pressure points highlighted ahead of today’s Mid-Year Budget Review, with the double-track system and teacher recruitment gaps taking center stage.
Officials and education stakeholders told Parliament that while enrollment numbers have improved, quality and staffing remain serious challenges. The double-track calendar, introduced to manage SHS overcrowding, continues to create stress for parents, students and teachers.
Parents complained about short vacations, clashes with tertiary admission timelines, and extra costs of buying supplies twice a year. “Students are learning, but they are exhausted. Teachers are also burnt out switching between tracks,” one headteacher said during a stakeholder engagement. Many are calling for a phased return to a single-track system once infrastructure catches up.
Teacher recruitment was the second big issue. Districts across the country are reporting shortages in core subjects like Math, Science and ICT. The backlog is worse in rural and underserved communities where teachers prefer not to be posted. The Ministry acknowledged the gap and said recruitment and postings will be prioritized in the second half of the year, with special incentives for teachers who accept rural postings.
To address learning outcomes, the government also announced plans to roll out a revised curriculum for KG and Primary schools. The new curriculum is expected to focus more on literacy, numeracy, critical thinking and digital skills. Teacher training workshops are scheduled to begin next month to prepare educators ahead of implementation in the next academic year.
Education unions welcomed the curriculum review but urged the government to fund it properly. “New books and training are good, but without classrooms, desks and teaching materials, it won’t work,” a union leader stated.
The timing is critical. With the 24-Hour Economy policy pushing for more skilled labor, stakeholders say the education system must produce graduates ready for technical, vocational and digital jobs. Business groups have also asked for stronger links between SHS, TVET and industry so students graduate with practical skills.
In the budget debate, MPs are expected to ask for clear allocations for classroom construction, teacher housing, and learning materials. They also want timelines on when the double-track system will be phased out.
For now, the message from the sector is clear: access has improved, but the next phase must be about quality, teachers, and infrastructure if Ghana wants education to support economic growth.
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