Expert calls for harmonisation of new Polytechnic law

Ho, April 12, GNA - Professor Frank Obed Kwami, Chairman of the Ho Polytechnic Council has called for a careful study and implementation of the new Polytechnic Law. Speaking at the eighth Congregation of the Ho Polytechnic on Saturday,

Prof Kwami said although the law explicitly grants autonomy to polytechnics, the Conference of Rectors of Polytechnics (CORP) should ensure a certain degree of harmonization and rationalization of it. Prof. Kwami said the provision in the law stating that polytechnics may award degrees subject to the conditions that the Council of the polytechnic may determine was already being subject to varied interpretations, some of which are not in consonant with the aims and objectives of polytechnic education. "I do not think that it is the aim of government to create ten more universities," he said.

Prof. Kwami recommended that Government, Councils of Polytechnics, Conference of Rectors of Polytechnics, Regulatory Bodies of Tertiary Institutions, Council for Technical Education and Training and Industry should debate the future direction of polytechnics. "The Kwami Report on Polytechnic Education needs to be revisited. I hope such fora to discuss this matter will be desirable and urgent", he said.

Prof. Kwami expressed concern about "poor salaries and conditions of service" of the polytechnic community and expressed fears that unless the issue was addressed quickly, the polytechnics risk losing their lecturers to emerging private universities. "I am, therefore appealing to Government on behalf of the entire polytechnic community to enable a quick conclusion of the Roadmap which is expected to bring a sustainable solution", he said.

Dr K.A. Dzisi, Rector of the Polytechnic, said of the 470 students from the 2006 year group who were presented with Higher National Diplomas, four students obtained First Class, 246 obtained Second Class (Upper Division), 215 obtained Second Class (Lower Division) and five students obtained a Pass. He said the distribution of graduands and enrolment by programme in the Polytechnic show a marked preference for business programmes. Dr Dzisi appealed to government to subsidize the fees of science students in second cycle schools so that more students would enter science programmes at the polytechnic level.

In a speech read for him, Professor Dominic Fobih, Minister for Education Science and Sports, commended the Ho Polytechnic for its competency-based teaching and learning approach in training its students. He observed that graduates from this method of training stood to be highly skilled and apt for the job market and self-employment. Prof. Fobih appealed to the polytechnic community to bear with government while it works out a sustainable solution to the problem of staff remuneration.