GRi Parliament
Ghana 19 - 06 - 2001
Private
Universities' degrees can match public ones
Accra
(Greater Accra) 19 June 2001
Professor
Christopher Ameyaw Akumfi, Minister of Education, on Tuesday said degrees of
the country's private universities are equal to that of the public ones.
"Before
any university is set up in the country, the National Accreditation Board takes
a good look at course content, facilities for teaching and learning and other
vital areas."
Prof.
Ameyaw Akumfi, who was answering Parliamentary questions in Accra, said
"people do not have their own way in these matters".
On the
grading system of the University of Cape Coast that has attracted protests from
its student body, he said, the Academic Board of that institution needs to
educate students and staff on the reasons for adopting it.
Answering a
question asked by Mr Kwakye Addo, NDC-Afram Plains South, he said the ministry
has found it fit to allow the university authorities to deal with the matter,
as "direct interference would not yield good results."
Recounting
events that led to the protest, The Minister said the National Council for
Tertiary Education (NCTE) was asked to discuss the matter after the Ministry
and the NCTE were petitioned by the student body of the University.
"The
NCTE after thorough examination of the problem recommended that the University
Administration should be made to educate the students appropriately on the
rationale for the introduction of the grading system, particularly as new
students join the University each year."
He said the
Council also recommended that in order to protect the credibility and
reputation of the university, the Chairman of the Council should assist the
Vice -Chancellor get the matter resolved internally.
Prof.
Ameyaw Akumfi said the Council recognised that the academic Board of the
University has the responsibility over academic programmes, including the
grading and award of certificates of the University.
He said the
Ministry discussed all the recommendations with the University authorities.
The
Minister said the matter came up again in March, when students marred the
congregation of the university.
He said the
issue of the grading would be addressed.
GRi../
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