GES plans to restore traditional academic calendar by 2027- GES

The Deputy Director‑General for Quality and Access at the Ghana Education Service (GES), Dr. Munawaru Issahaque, says the Service is collaborating closely with university academics and the Education Minister to phase out the double‑track system by 2027.

In an interview with Citi News on Sunday, Dr. Issahaque said the move is designed to restore the traditional academic calendar and ease pressure on parents and students.

“We are very ready to reopen between October 18 and 20. We want our parents to also have some peace of mind. So, we have worked with key stakeholders behind the scenes to ensure that we revert the academic calendar and, with the Minister of Education’s approval, reverse the double-track system by 2027,” he said.

He explained that implementing the change will require both financial resources and logistical planning, but affirmed GES’s commitment to ensuring a smooth transition. He also disclosed that the automatic placement rate under this year’s Computerised School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS) was 82 percent, meaning a large majority of candidates were successfully placed.

“If we have about 600,000 candidates and almost 593,000 passed, it means they have a chance of being placed in one school or another,” he noted.

Dr. Issahaque also stated that GES is ready to reopen senior high schools for new Form One students now that the placement process is complete. He urged parents to fulfill all prospectus requirements and to be open to the schools their children are assigned.

“We all want the best for our children. The system allows for seven school options, but many parents focus only on the first choice. That’s not a fair approach. Prepare your child to accept the school they are placed in and get ready to join their colleagues,” he said.