Following a recent upgrading of the Cape Coast and Tamale Polytechnics into technical universities, the Polytechnic Teachers Association of Ghana (POTAG), is asking government to support the two remaining polytechnics to be upgraded.
The remaining two, Bolgatanga and Wa Polytechnics, are yet to be upgraded into technical universities, a situation POTAG describes as worrying.
In an interview with Citi News, the National President of POTAG, Emmanuel Agyeman, said government’s support could push the two polytechnics over the line.
“I believe that once two have now been added to the fold, the remaining two also know they have certain condition to fulfill so what I believe is that, the government through the Ministry of Education, will assist these institutions to fulfill the conditions that were set.”
He also insisted that, the conversion of the remaining two polytechnics is “for the good of the entire country and its educational and economic development.”
The conversion of polytechnics into technical universities, per the Technical Universities Act 2016 (ACT 992) enacted by Parliament, was one of President John Mahama’s manifesto promises ahead of the 2012 general elections.
According to government, the purpose of the conversion into technical universities is to bridge the gap between academia and industry.
A technical committee on the conversion of polytechnics to technical universities announced its decision to convert all polytechnics into technical universities beginning 2016.
Eight of the ten polytechnics in the country have since been upgraded into technical universities; the Tamale, Koforidua, Cape Coast, Accra, Ho, Sunyani, Kumasi and Takoradi polytechnics.
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By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana