A group calling itself the Concerned Youth of Northern Ghana, is appealing to government to convert all polytechnics en-bloc into technical universities instead of leaving others behind.
The group argued that, converting six polytechnics into technical universities and leaving out four other polytechnics namely; Bolgatanga polytechnic,Tamale polytechnic, Wa polytechnic and Cape coast polytechnic is unfair.
They described the decision as a calculated attempt to limit the opportunities for northers to acquire higher education in the technical field.
Speaking at a press conference in Bolgatanga, Spokesperson for the group, Mr. Sunday Batowani, blamed government and President Mahama for failing to provide the infrastructure and human resources needed to make the aforementioned polytechnics meet the criteria for them to be converted into technical universities,
He further stated that, President Mahama had failed to ensure regional balance as far as the conversion of polytechnics into technical universities is concerned.
Mr. Batowani urged government to ensure that the three polytechnics in the north are converted into technical universities to ensure that technical university education is accessible to Northerners as well.
Why the gradual implementation
The Deputy Minister in-charge of Tertiary education, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, earlier revealed that the first phase of the conversion of polytechnics into technical universities, will take place in September this year, with six polytechnics.
Government has explained that it cannot convert all the polytechnics into a university because a Technical Committee set up to advice it on the conversion, recommended that the exercise must be done progressively to satisfy the requirements of becoming a technical university.
He further clarified that government cannot not just upgrade polytechnics without assessing the varying levels of infrastructure and capacity, hence the need for the implementation of the conversion in phases.
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By: Frederick Awuni/citifmonline.com/Ghana