Deheer-Amissah Cautions On Rush To Upgrade Techinical Institutes

Accra,(Greater Accra) 23 Oct. A - Professor A. N. Deheer-Amissah, executive secretary of the National Council for Tertiary Education (NCTE), today cautioned against the quick pace at which technical schools are being upgraded into polytechnics. This is because it is difficult to get qualified teachers to teach certain subjects, apart from lack of funding, he said. Professor Deheer-Amissah was briefing the Parliamentary Select Committee on tertiary education reforms in Accra today. He said at the moment, Sunyani Polytechnic has not more than six qualified teachers, and the same applies to Tamale, Koforidua, Wa and Bolgatanga polytechnics. Moreover, out of about 40 per cent budget allocation to the Ministry of Education (MOE), only 12.4 per cent of it is for tertiary education, and ''this is woefully inadequate''. Adding more schools would mean that this amount, which represents 77 billion cedis, has to be increased, he said, adding: ''We have ... requested for an increase to about 18 per cent.'' Profesor Deheer-Amissah said NCTE and the Accreditation Board advised initially that the upgrading should be done at a slow pace, but this has not been heeded. ''It should not be seen that NCTE is against government's policy on the process, since it is beneficial. But we are only asking for proper planning for the success of the programme.'' In view of the current problems, a team of specialists would tour the Brong Ahafo, Northern, Upper East and the Upper West regions very soon to see whether all the ten regions could have polytechnics. On job placement of Higher National diplomates, Prof. Deheer- Amissah said the council's paper on the issue ''will be out soon''. He said NCTE is aware of the disparities in salary for lecturers in the universities and those in the polytechnics with the same qualifications and gave the assurance that the problem ''is being looked into''. Mr M. A. Seidu, deputy majority speaker and minister of state, blamed the NCTE for lack of coordination. He advised the NCTE on the need to concentrate certain courses in specific schools, instead of "scattering" them. Mr Seidu said this would enhance the distribution of lecturers as well as the courses. He called on NCTE to channel its problems through parliament.