Review entry requirements for polytechnic programmes – Prof Oduro
The Chairman of the Takoradi Polytechnic Governing Council, Prof George K.T Oduro, has rekindled the debate on the policy on minimum admission requirements for polytechnic programmes in the country.
He said polytechnics, are required by law required to place emphasis on competency, skills, practical and entrepreneurial-focused learning opportunities for its students and appealed to the National Accreditation Board (NAB) to re-visit the entire policy on entry criteria for polytechnic programmes
Within the context of the purpose for establishing polytechnics, no student offering to pursue a hands-on training programme in the polytechnic with a pass in English and Mathematics, in addition to the relevant elective subjects should be denied entry since grades D7 and E8 are classified as passes by the West African Examination Council (WAEC), he said.
Prof Oduro made the appeal at the 12th Congregation of the Takoradi Polytechnic at the weekend.
“I find it ridiculously incomprehensible that a student who obtains aggregate 21 in six subjects could be denied admission into a polytechnic merely because he/she scored a D7 in English while one student who obtained aggregate 30 qualifies for admission”, he said.
The Council Chair commended the staff, students and management of the polytechnic for winning this year’s best polytechnic in examination ethics and integrity in the country
“Indeed, we members of the Governing Council are proud of the academic staff, students, ancillary staff and management of the polytechnic for this award.
It is my expectation that as we enter the New year, you will continue to work hard to achieve our target of making the polytechnic an institution of excellence, competency-based vocational and technical skill development in West Africa”, he opined.
Prof Oduro advised the few staff whose negative work attitude and disrespect for authority tends to undermine the hardworking efforts of the majority to change their ways for the better saying without disciple, the current enviable image it had chalked for itself would not be possible and thus, adversely affect the efficiency and effectiveness of the management, staff and students.
He cautioned that the Governing Council would fully support disciplinary actions that management takes against any recalcitrant individual whose attitude threatens discipline in the polytechnic.
In all, the Polytechnic awarded 2,732 graduates with degrees and diplomas comprising 68 Bachelor of Technology degrees, 2,609 Higher National Diplomas (HND) while 55 graduates received civil engineering certificates in competency-based training.
The Rector of the Polytechnic, Prof Daniel Nyarko said in the HND programme 59 graduates had First Class, 1,154 Upper Class,1,253 Second Class Lower and 150 Passes whilst 12 graduates had First Class, 45 Second Class Upper and 11 Second Class Lower in the Bachelor of Technology Degree programme.
Source: GNA