The Free Senior High School Programme is set for a major expansion after government secured US$300 million to end the double-track system and improve infrastructure in second cycle schools.
Finance Minister, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson announced the development in a Facebook post on Sunday, August 2, 2026, indicating that funding has been secured for “new schools, more classrooms, and better facilities nationwide.”
The US$300 million investment is targeted at expanding capacity to accommodate all SHS students at once, effectively phasing out the double-track calendar introduced in 2018 to manage overcrowding.
The double-track system was implemented under the Free SHS policy to allow more students to be admitted despite limited classroom and dormitory space. It has, however, faced criticism from parents and education stakeholders over its impact on teaching time and the academic calendar.
The latest funding commitment signals government’s plan to return all senior high schools to a single-track system through infrastructure expansion.
According to the Ministry of Finance, the investment forms part of broader efforts to strengthen the Free SHS policy and improve access to quality secondary education.
