Two more Polytechnics have finally been cleared for conversion to technical Universities. These are the Cape Coast and Tamale Polytechnics, bringing to eight Polytechnics to be converted to universities by the end of this month.
A statement signed by the Minister for Education Professor Naana Jane Opoku Agyemang said the decision by the Technical Committee followed a re-assessment of the two institutions which have met the criteria.
The latest development brings to rest agitations by some students and lecturers when their institutions missed out the first approved list. The decision has also killed another dirty campaign message by the main opposition party, the NPP which tried to exploit the situation by painting the picture of pure discrimination against institutions and the people of the Central region.
Initially, the Accra, Kumasi, Koforidua, Ho, Takoradi and Sunyani polytechnics met the requirement and were converted leaving out Cape Coast, Tamale, Wa and Bolgatanga polytechnics.
Government’s policy to convert the 10 polytechnics in the country into fully fledged technical universities is in fulfillment of its 2012 manifesto promise.
This has been hailed by the Polytechnic Teachers Association of Ghana (POTAG), but some educationists still hold a different view in the expected impact.
In line with the Technical Universities Act 2016 (Act 922) passed by Parliament on August 4, 2016, Prof Naana Agyemang in the statement issued on Monday, asked the National Council for Tertiary Education (NCTE) to expedite action on the conversion.
“Kindly communicate the executive approval to Cape Coast and Tamale Polytechnics and take necessary steps to ensure a smooth and orderly transfer of all eight (8) polytechnics,” the Minister said.
Besides the bold step to enhance technical education, the NDC government has built two major public universities, University of Health and Allied Sciences in the Volta region and the University of Energy and Natural Resources in the Brong Ahafo region.
The Mahama-led administration is also establishing a new public University in the Eastern Region to complete the NDC's vision of providing a public University campus in every region of the country and also to expand academic and residential facilities on existing campuses
Source: Peacefmonline
Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. |
I have been thinking about some unfair laws which are disadvantaging the continents most especially in Africa. If you want to do your masters degree or work in countries who speak English as first language, the law states that you have to write an English proficiency test to proof that you can express yourself in English. I'm not being racist but the situation looks like one. If you are not from one of the native English speaking countries then you must write the test even if you went to school in any English speaking country as long as you are not from those countries. I see this as a means to make money unjustifiably from the non-native English-speaking countries because those who have used English as a medium of instruction from grade 1 to the University level are still not qualified as those who can speak English well. I see most English speaking natives making mistakes in English on TV. It raises a big question. Don't the English speaking countries recognize our education especially the medium of instructions in Africa and other places in the world? This is quite undermining. Accents can't be used as fair means to proof that a person understands English or can speak English better. Fluency does not mean that you are speaking it right. Anyone reading this can check to authenticate my point that some presidents, motivational speakers etc who speak English as first language make mistakes. Some of those who are not from English-speaking natives can do better than those who speak English as first language in the so called English proficiency test. Can it be that if any English-speaking native want to reside in South Africa or any other country in Africa or other continents in Middle East, Asia etc then he or she must learn to write exams on the language spoken by that country? I think if you have qualification(s ) to proof that all your studies were in English up to tertiary level, it should be enough proof that such person can express himself or herself well. Otherwise, why must we even study in English and later on to be told that it is not recognized. I think it's really not fair most especially to Anglophone countries in Africa. I wish the AU or Commonwealth (Africa) can address this matter because it is really not fair. If there is no partiality, racism etc then all must write the test whether you speak English as first language or not. May be somethings have not been explained explicitly to all. What do you have to say about this?