The Impact of the Free Senior High School Education Policy and Double-Track System on Quality Education Outcomes: A Quasi-Experimental Policy Evaluation Study in Ghana
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Date
2023
Authors
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Publisher
Africa Education Review
Abstract
In the 2017/2018 academic year, the government of Ghana, through the Ministry
of Education, began an educational reform policy codenamed the “Free Senior
High School” (FSHS) policy to fully absorb the cost, increase enrolment, and
improve the quality of education for all public senior high schools in Ghana. To
accommodate more students and reduce overcrowding in schools, the
government, as part of the FSHS policy, introduced the double-track system,
which divides the total student population and staff into two tracks; as one of
the tracks attends school, the other is on vacation and vice versa. No study has
assessed this policy on education outcomes. This study assessed the impact of
the FSHS policy and the double-track system on quality education outcomes
and explored the challenges associated with the implementation of the policies.
The study further identified strategies needed to address these challenges. The
study employed a quasi-experimental study design using a pre-post data
collection instrument designed to assess quality education metrics. We also used
a comparative cross-sectional study design and qualitative design
methodologies to evaluate the FSHS policy and the double-track system. We
quantified the impact of the policies using quantile and ordinary least square
regression models with cluster robust standard errors. Our evaluation of the
policy showed a significant decline in quality of education outcomes and
academic performance. Students who attended the double-track schools
performed poorly in all the core subjects compared with non-double-track
schools. The challenges associated with the implementation of the policy were
financial constraints, infrastructure deficit, inadequate and delayed release of
food items, lack of teaching and learning materials, inadequate contact hours,
and poor implementation of the policy and the double-track system.
Government must comprehensively review the FSHS policy and consider cost
sharing with parents and caregivers to sustain the policy.
Description
Research Article
Keywords
academic performance, double-track system, education policy evaluation
Citation
To cite this article: Duah Dwomoh, Anthony Godi, John Tetteh, Charles Amoatey, Richard Otoo, Leticia Tornyevah & Chad Hazlett (2022) The Impact of the Free Senior High School Education Policy and Double-Track System on Quality Education Outcomes: A Quasi Experimental Policy Evaluation Study in Ghana, Africa Education Review, 19:2, 1-24, DOI: 10.1080/18146627.2023.2225754