The Minister of State In-charge of Tertiary Education, Prof. Kwesi Yankah has said that the draft Public Universities Bill was not to control public universities by the government but rather to harmonise them.
He explained that the government was contemplating a unified University Act that would state the broad general principles upon which universities operate but never attempt to control it.
“The draft bill is to cure avoidable inconsistencies in university governance, as well as responsibilities universities are expected to shoulder in the course of executing their core mandate,” the minister stated.
Prof. Yankah was speaking on Saturday at the 7th congregation of the Tamale College of Education (TACE) held here in Tamale.
He pointed out that many of the things some of the commentators were saying on airwaves were not true and should be disregarded.
Prof. Yankah emphasised that the government would not do anything to undermine the universities, but rather would strengthen them to deliver on their mandates.
He pointed out that teachers were crucial role in shaping the character of pupils and students under their care.
“Ghana needs classroom teachers who are ethical, committed and self-motivated so they can instill the same values in our children,” the Minister emphasised.
Prof. Yankah, therefore, admonished teachers to be diligent and exhibit high professional standards at all times.
He also advised them to be abreast with new reforms that Ghana Education Service has launched in order to ensure success.
The Northern Regional Minister, Mr Salifu Sa-eed on his advised newly graduated to be role models of the students.
He urged them to seek for higher education, stressing that world was changing very fast and that the only way to remain relevant was always to update their skills.
Dr Sulemana Iddrisu, Principal of TACE said the research output of tutors of the college had more than quadrupled as many of them were working harder to upgrade themselves.
He appealed to the National Council on Tertiary Education to expedite action on outstanding promotion cases by duly promoting the tutors to senior tutors level.
He also appealed to the government to take steps to address infrastructure challenges facing the institute.
Dr Iddrisu added that due to infrastructure constraints, the college could only admit 559 students during the 2018/2019 academic year out of the 1086 qualified applicants.
A total of 476 students, who completed the Diploma in Basic Education programme from TACE during the 2017/2018 academic year graduated.
From: Yakubu Abdul-Majeed, Tamale.