Prof Aryeetey chides successive governments on educational reforms

Professor Ernest Aryeetey, Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Legon, on Saturday criticized successive governments for their casual treatment of discussions for educational reforms and the relationship between education and national development.

He was speaking at the University’s Congregation organized in Accra where 2,573 students were awarded various degrees, diploma and certificates.

Prof Aryeetey said “I am concerned that the funding of different types and levels of educational institutions does not appear to be inspired by any clear strategy towards the long term transformation of the national economy and society”.

He expressed concern that discussions on how the school system could be restructured including issues of access and curriculum, and how these could be related to the tertiary system, was done in small groups without any reference to the broader set of stakeholders.

Prof Aryeetey said the absence of consensus on the way forward meant that changes were not sustainable.

“The fact that many of the graduates leaving these grounds today will not be finding jobs for a long time should oblige us, as a people, to think about education in a more structured way and much more strategically” he said.

Prof Aryeetey announced that management had decided to decentralize the University’s structure and had proposed the adoption of a collegiate model.

He said the reform is to enhance efficiency and to make the University administration very effective.

Prof Aryeetey added that it would provide greater opportunity to students with respect to programme offerings and to enhance inter-disciplinary research.

Consequently, management had appointed University Structure Reform Committees to oversee the development or reorganization of four colleges.

The proposed colleges include College of Health Sciences, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, College of Humanities and College of Education.

Prof Aryeetey said work towards the design of the new colleges is expected to be completed by 31st March 2013.

He also announced that plans were afoot for the University to roll out its restructured four-year Doctor of Philosophy programme in January 2013.

Key aspects of the programme include compulsory course work, attachment to research projects for all candidates, the introduction of comprehensive examinations to be taken by all PhD candidates and the formal defense of the candidate’s research proposal.

These modifications are aimed at making PhD graduates perform better in research methodology, show better understanding of data collected, use more current and sophisticated analytical techniques and draw more credible conclusions from their work.

Prof Aryeetey however advised the graduates to apply themselves to hard work, dedication, honesty and independent thinking.

Mr Kwamina K Asomaning, Executive Director-Corporate and Investment Banking at the Stanbic Bank Ghana, advised the graduates not to give up when they experienced any sort of failure in life.

“…Failure or disappointment in one area of our lives typically opens up a world of opportunities and successes in other areas,” he stressed.

Mr Asomaning said that good grades alone would not guarantee their professional successes adding that they needed to develop personal qualities that could give them a competitive edge in their lives.

He challenged them to be humble, disciplined and to develop a positive attitude in life.