A Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Barbara Oteng Gyasi, has given an assurance that the double track education system being implemented to create room to accommodate the increase in the free senior high school (SHS) enrolment is a temporary measure.

She indicated that the implementation of the free SHS policy has enhanced the quality of education and has doubled enrollment in the schools as well.

She pointed out that the government could therefore not wait to address all the issues of infrastructure before continuing with the free SHS policy, hence the introduction of the double track system.

“With the existing infrastructure, the double track system has helped reduce class sizes,” the deputy minister indicated.

She expressed confidence that government would soon initiative policies to deal with the infrastructural deficit in order to end the double track system, adding “so the double track system is not permanent but temporary”.

Ms Barbara Oteng Gyasi, who doubles as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Prestea Huni Valley Constituency in the Western Region, stated this when she commissioned a one number 2-unit classroom block in the area.

The classroom block, with ancillary facilities, is for the kindergarten unit of the Petepom community basic school in the Prestea Huni Valley Constituency.

The block has a kitchen, dining hall, staff common room, headmaster’s office, storeroom and a toilet facility, among others.

It was built at a cost of GH¢295,000 and was funded with the assembly’s share of the District Assembly’s Common Fund.

She reiterated government’s effort to ensure that every child of school-going age has equal opportunity to be in school.

According to her, it was her vision that the constituency becomes one of the best in the country in terms of education. She promised to supplement government efforts by building more of such school blocks in other deprived areas in the constituency.

She indicated that very soon the School Feeding Programme in the constituency would be extended to more communities particularly now that the payment for the caterers has been increased.

She commended the municipal chief executive (MCE) and staff of the assembly for their hard work and support to accomplish the project.

The MCE, Mozart Owuh, on his part, tasked the schoolchildren in the area to take their studies seriously to become great future leaders.

He also advised teachers to maintain the school block and keep it in good condition always.

The Municipal Director of Education, Vida Kwofie, charged the teachers to give the children the best training at the school; he commended the MP and MCE for keenly supporting education in the municipality.