Candidates from poor schools performing well at KNUST

Kumasi, Feb 9, GNA- The 59 candidates selected from less endowed secondary schools and were granted admission at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in 2003 on a pilot basis, are performing "creditably" at the University.

Professor Kwesi Andam, Vice Chancellor of the university, announced on Saturday.

None of the candidates was withdrawn after the first semester examinations approved by the university's academic board, he said, he said.

Addressing the 37th congregation of KNUST in Kumasi, Professor Andam said one of the students got first class while 44 per cent were in the second-class upper range, 45 per cent in the second-class lower range and only nine per cent in the pass category.

Professor Andam said the general trend of all students in the university was 3.9 per cent first class, 45.8 per cent in second upper, 35.03 per cent in second lower and 15.00 per cent in pass category. He said the first semester examinations were the most difficult as students with poor background would be struggling to find their feet at the university.

The Vice Chancellor said the performance of the candidates had served as an encouragement to the university authorities and hoped they would continue to shine at KNUST.

He said the university council had already laid out rules to continue admitting more students from the poorly endowed secondary schools.

Professor Andam therefore, appealed to big secondary school to take inspiration from KNUST and begin to admit students from less endowed Junior Secondary Schools (JSS). This, according to him, would help bridge the educational gap and stem the polarisation of the society.