The National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) is advocating for the abolishment of the double-track system and the reinstatement of the academic calendar in second-cycle schools to the previous three-term structure.In 2018, the Ghanaian government introduced the double-track system as a response to the surge in demand for second-cycle education following the implementation of the Free Senior High School policy.

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However, NAGRAT argues that the existing double-track system brings about uncertainty and has a detrimental impact on the well-being of education workers. Currently, approximately 40 percent of second-cycle schools in the country continue to operate under this system.

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NAGRAT's call for the removal of the double-track system reflects concerns about its effectiveness and the challenges it poses to the education sector, and the association is advocating for a return to the traditional three-term academic calendar to address these issues.

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Speaking at a press conference attended by national executive members of the association on Wednesday, September 27, 2023, President of NAGRAT, Angel Carbonu, stated, "The double track has brought about its attendant challenges and problems, especially for teachers. Teachers in schools were teaching across tracks, and as a result, most teachers in the senior high schools did not have holidays or rest periods.

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This situation puts untold and undue pressure on the staff of our schools."He added, "what we are running right now is putting an untold burden on our teachers, who are regularly going to the hospital for care, and who are spending a significant portion of their meagre salaries to cater for themselves.

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Moreover, the current system lacks certainty in our schools, as parents and students cannot determine when schools would reopen or go on vacations."Mr. Carbonu announced NAGRAT's position, stating, "we call on the Ghana Education Service to revert the school term to three terms, change the period from one hour to 40 minutes, and ensure that we have schools based on the promise they made that the double track was going to end within five years.

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"He emphasised that in addition to teachers, non-teaching staff is also suffering under the current system, which forces them to work continuously throughout the year.Mr. Carbonu also issued a warning that the association would take further action if their demands were not met.

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