A head potter and high school graduate has narrated her ordeal of how she escaped being forced into early marriage due to the long vacation periods of the Double Track System.
Rukkiya, who graduated in 2022, revealed to Accra-based myjoyonline.com how she was nearly forced into early marriage due to pressure from her family and community during one of the extended vacation periods.
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“I was part of the Green Track under the Free SHS system. When our track was on vacation, the Gold Track would take over, leaving us with months of idle time.
“This system doesn’t give us enough time to study, and when you’re home for three months, the risk of being forced into marriage is very real.”
With this almost becoming her reality, she decided to escape to Accra so she can be free from the pressure and graduate.
“They would come with a truck, tie you up, and take you away to be married off. It’s not helping us at all. I knew I had to escape, so I fled to Accra,” Rukiya said.
“I was able to complete school in 2022, despite all the challenges. When school resumed, I would travel back to Kumasi, where my school was located. When we vacated, I would return to Accra to work and survive.”
Although Rukiya recognises the advantages of the Free SHS program, she feels that a review of the Double Track System is necessary to prevent young girls from being coerced into marriage at an early age while on long vacations.
“I know there are many other girls like me who need more time in school, not at home where they’re at risk,” she firmly declared.
“I want to be somebody in the future.”
