Committee on Grading System submits report

A Committee on the Grading system set up by the Ministry of Education has submitted its report to which both the Conference of Polytechnic Principals and the National Board for Professional and Technician Examinations Board have discussed.

This follows the agitations from the Ghana National Union of Polytechnic Students about the grading system and related matters.

Prof. Christopher Ameyaw Akumfi, Minister of Education said the Ministry therefore, set up three Committees to look into the students grievances concerning Grading, Job Placement and Staff Development, Infrastructure Development and Academic Autonomy.

The Minister said this when Mr Ofosu Asamoah, NPP- Kade asked the Minister what led to the clash between the students of the country's Polytechnics and the Police at the Castle Junction, Osu and what steps the ministry was taking to forestall such future occurrences.

The Committee on Staff Development, Infrastructure Development and academic Autonomy has submitted an interim report while the report of the Committee on Job Placement and Academic progression is expected shortly.

Prof. Akumfi recalled that on 26 February 2002, students of the polytechnics embarked on a demonstration to the Osu castle to begin a planned three days of fasting in protest against the introduction of a new grading system by the NABTEX.

The Minister said unfortunately the demonstration turned violent and the police had no option than to perform their duty of protecting life and property, hence the clash with the students.

He said the recommendations of the Committees would be studied and implemented, while in the area of technical and vocational education, a number of important steps have been taken by government.

The Minister said there was significant improvement with support from the GETFund in physical and academic infrastructure on the polytechnic campuses and conditions of service for polytechnic staff have also been considerably improved over the past year.

Prof. Akumfi said the Ministry, National Council for Tertiary Education (NCTE) and the polytechnics have begun a process of public education on the role of the polytechnics in national development.

Additionally students have been advised to use laid down procedures in getting their grievances addressed, while authorities of tertiary institutions have also created structures that allow students to be involved n the decision-making processes, especially on issues that affect them.