Shift System in Public Schools Being Phased Out, Education Minister Tells Parliament

The shift system that has long defined the daily rhythm of many Ghanaian public schools is being systematically dismantled, Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu told Parliament on Thursday.

Responding to questions on the floor of the House, Mr Iddrisu explained that the shift system — in which students attend school in either morning or afternoon sessions to cope with overcrowding and insufficient infrastructure — was never intended as a permanent arrangement. It was a stopgap, introduced to manage the reality of too many pupils and too few classrooms. Now, he said, the government is working to make it a relic of the past.

The Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service are pursuing this goal through the construction of additional classroom blocks at the basic school level, a programme the Minister described as ongoing and expanding.

Investment in Learning Environments

Mr Iddrisu disclosed that government has allocated GH¢230 million in the 2025 GETFund distribution formula specifically for the procurement of school furniture for both basic and senior high schools nationwide. The investment, he said, forms part of a broader commitment to ensuring that students have access to learning environments conducive to meaningful education rather than merely functional ones.

The Minister also highlighted the enduring importance of the Free Compulsory Universal Basic Education policy, introduced in 1996, which continues to serve as the foundation of efforts to reduce illiteracy and guarantee equal access to quality education across the country.

Tertiary Sector Concerns

Beyond basic education, Mr Iddrisu addressed concerns raised by the University Teachers Association of Ghana over issues in the tertiary education sector. He assured Parliament that the Ministry, working through the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission, has taken the necessary steps to maintain industrial harmony in tertiary institutions and would continue to engage stakeholders to ensure stability.

The phasing out of the shift system carries significance beyond logistics. For generations of Ghanaian children, attending school in shifts has meant shorter instructional hours, compressed curricula, and a daily reminder that the education system was stretched beyond its capacity. Eliminating the system is not merely an infrastructure upgrade — it is a statement about the standard of education the country expects to provide.

Image Source: GHANAIAN TIMES