Council On Tertiary Education Throws More Light On HND Programme

Accra (GAR), July 11, - The Executive Secretary of the National Council for Tertiary Education, Professor A.N. de Heer-Amissah, said today that Higher National Diploma (HND) graduates have a dis He said the content of the programmes are professi onal and career oriented, laying emphasis on the application of knowledge, science and technology. This was contained in a statement issued in Accra today on the status of HND in the educational reform programme. Students of Polytechnics which offer the HND have been boycotting lectures since June 24 because the Ministry of Education says the HND is not equivalent to a first degree. Prof. de-Heer-Amissah said the Council said it is restating and clarifying its position on the status of the HND following various interpretations given to an earlier statement. Prof. de Heer-Amissah said Polytechnics are tertiary institutions with the clear mandate of offering practically-oriented courses and programmes leading to the award of certificates, diplomas an Currently, he said, the polytechnics are running pr ogrammes leading to the award of various cer tificates, including HND, and the staff at post are competent to teach these programmes. "The HND programmes being run by the Polytechnics are not degree programmes. The HND programmes do not have the same orientation as that of traditional University degree programmes." Prof. de Heer-Amissah said under the law setting up the Polytechnics as Tertiary Institutions, the Polytechnics are required to eventually offer degree programmes which will also have profession "These degree programmes will additionally prepare the graduates for the generation and promot ion of knowledge through applied research and such-like academic activities." Prof. de Heer-Amissah said the Council for Tertiary Education appreciates the fact that the placement of HND graduates in the Civil and Public Services has to be examined. "The Council, however, notes that the private sector recognises the specific professional role HND graduates play in industry and commerce by placing a high value on them. "In furtherance of the professional character of the HND programmes, the Council for Tertiary Education is in contact with the various professional bodies to consider giving HND graduates approp "The Ministry is, for example, aware that the Inst itute of Chartered Accountants (ICA) Ghana a lready grants exemption from the CA Final part one Examination to HND Accountancy graduates. "In light of the above, the National Council for Tertiary Education appeals to students to resume classes."