GTEC directs universities to cease SHS satellite campus operations

The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has taken a decisive step towards enhancing the quality of tertiary education in the country by directing universities to cease the operations of satellite campuses within senior high schools (SHS) and other unapproved premises.

This directive, announced by Professor Ahmed Abdulai Jinapor, the Director-General of GTEC, addresses the concerns regarding the proliferation of such campuses, especially those belonging to universities with charters.

This proliferation, according to Prof. Jinapor, is not only diluting the essence of technical university education but is also seen as an obstacle to their growth and potential to contribute significantly to the nation’s socio-economic development.

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The concern was voiced during the 12th congregation of the Bolgatanga Technical University (BTU), where Prof. Jinapor highlighted the adverse impact of these satellite campuses on the progress of technical universities.

The congregation saw 628 students, split almost evenly between males and females, graduating with qualifications ranging from Bachelor of Technology and Higher National Diploma (HND) to Professional Diplomas.

In response to this challenge, GTEC has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the vice-chancellors of the implicated universities.

This agreement includes a four-year timeline to phase out existing programs and students, prohibiting the admission of new students to these campuses thereafter.

Additionally, GTEC plans to conduct a comprehensive audit to ensure compliance with standards of teaching quality, faculty competence, and student eligibility.

Prof. Jinapor expressed optimism about this initiative, noting it would redirect students towards technical universities, thereby bolstering their enrollment and allowing these institutions to fully realize their role as catalysts for technological and socio-economic development.

The Director-General stressed the importance of protecting and promoting technical education in Ghana.

Echoing this sentiment, the Vice-Chancellor of BTU, Prof. Samuel Erasmus Alnaa, announced the introduction of 17 new academic programs, including Master of Science (MSc) degrees in agriculture, further enhancing the university’s curriculum.

The ongoing support from international partners like the German Technical Cooperation (GIZ) and the World Bank for Competence Based Training (CBT) initiatives underscores the global recognition of the value of technical education.

The government, through the outgoing Upper East Regional Minister, Stephen Yakubu, reaffirmed its commitment to technical education as a cornerstone of national development and a strategy to combat youth unemployment.

The shift towards science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education highlights the nation’s resolve to prepare a skilled workforce capable of driving industrialization and ensuring Ghana’s competitive edge in the global arena.

This collective effort underlines a promising future for technical education in Ghana, geared towards fostering innovation, skill development, and job creation for the betterment of the country’s socio-economic landscape.

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