News:
September 7, 2016
A ranking member of Parliament’s Education committee is questioning the sustainability of government’s decision to convert polytechnic into technical universities.
Dr Yaw Owusu who is also a Member of Parliament for for Asene/Manso/Akroso believes there will be resource constraints by government which will affect the effective implementation of the policy.
He expressed these concerns during the Joy Thought Leadership forum on the sustainability of the conversion of Polytechnics into technical universities.
The government has so far converted six of the ten polytechnics into technical universities with a promise to convert the remaining four sooner than later.
The policy has also been given legal backing after President John Mahama assented to the Technical University Bill making it a law.
But Dr Yaw Owusu said government will have problems implementing the policy to the letter.
“I am doubtful about the sustainability of this technical university because the economy is not in good shape. Technical university education is based on resources not just mere branding or changing of names. If you want technical and vocational education they must put in a lot. You can put in a lot when you have the resources,” he said.
But Deputy Education Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa argued that the needed infrastructure and resources needed for its take off has been secured.
He assured the conversion will improve the quality of education in the country.
“We perhaps have not paid attention to the work that has gone on, on this conversion. The president announced this in first state of the nation address. We then invited all the stakeholders, including the Parliamentary committee on education. Everybody has been involved.
“It is surprising that the NPP member is saying loudly that he was opposed. We didn’t see that in committee report. The Parliamentary records will show you that there was a unanimous consensus,” he stated, adding the policy will help in developing technical education in the country.