In a recent stakeholders’ dialogue organized by the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), key players in the Ghanaian tertiary education sector converged to discuss the formulation of a robust policy framework to regulate distance education and distance learning in the country.
The event, which saw the participation of various tertiary institutions nationwide, aimed to address the evolving landscape of education delivery, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Director of Accreditation at GTEC, John Dadzie Mensah emphasized the necessity of regulating the space of innovative tertiary program delivery post-pandemic.
He stressed the importance of ensuring quality within this flexible domain, highlighting the risks of overlooking comprehensive policies.
Mensah underlined the collaborative nature of the stakeholders’ conference, emphasizing the critical role of institutions in refining the policy draft for effective implementation.
When questioned about the objectives of the policy, Mensah outlined the aim of establishing a comprehensive framework that guarantees quality assurance at both institutional and regulatory levels, ultimately benefiting the Ghanaian populace.
Professor Goski Alabi, Consulting President of Laweh Open University College, commended the dialogue as timely and essential for enhancing quality in higher education.
Alabi stressed the dynamic nature of quality assurance, underscoring the need for continuous improvement.
She highlighted the significance of open education in removing barriers to learning, particularly in the digital age, and stressed the importance of recognizing prior learning within the education system.
Professor Eric Nyarko Sampson, Vice Chancellor of the University of Environment and Sustainable Development, expressed enthusiasm for incorporating distance education into the university’s agenda.
He emphasized the alignment of institutional policies with national guidelines to enhance educational practices.
Dean of the School of Continuing and Distance Education, College of Education, University of Ghana, Professor Oliver Frimpong Kwapong, shared insights on the university’s experience in distance education.
She highlighted the institution’s commitment to providing quality distance learning programs and ensuring parity between distance learners and traditional students in terms of delivery, assessment, and certification.
In addition to applauding the regulator’s efforts to create a framework for policy that will standardize the delivery of distance education across Ghanaian universities, Prof. Kwapong emphasized the importance of education as a vehicle for development.
The stakeholders’ discussion highlighted the shared dedication to developing remote learning in Ghana and the significance of working together to create a long-lasting policy framework.
Source:Joseph Kobla Wemakor
