Embargo on recruitment affecting polytechnics

Professor Thomas Kwadwo Djang-Fordjour, Rector of Sunyani Polytechnic, has said the embargo on the recruitment was affecting the performance of polytechnics because they could not replace experienced staff on retirement.

He said his polytechnic had for the past two years lost experienced staff and more of them were about to retire.

Prof. Djang-Fordjour, therefore, appealed to government to review the embargo to save the situation.

Prof. Djang-Fordjour was addressing the Seventh Congregation of Sunyani Polytechnic in Sunyani, at the weekend.

A total of 1,456 students were awarded Higher National Diploma (HND) in Engineering, Business and Management Studies, Applied Science and Technology, after completing their programmes during the 2013/2014 academic year.

The Rector said should the trend continue polytechnics would be forced to end some of their programmes.

Therefore, he suggested, the government should intervene to enable the polytechnics to engage some of the retired staff on contract.

Prof. Djang-Fordjour said the authorities had instituted a five-year Strategic Plan towards the upgrading of the polytechnic into a Technical University by 2016.

The plan includes improving infrastructure to enhance the quality of teaching and learning; improving student activities; and creating a congenial atmosphere for a university community.

Prof. Djang-Fordjour commended parents and guardians for supporting the education of their children and wards under these harsh economic challenges and urged them to continue to partner the government to put polytechnic education on a higher pedestal.

Dr Isaac Kwasi Asamoah, Chairman of the Governing Council, said polytechnics had important roles to play in the socio-economic development of every country because they offered students the requisite training to become self-employed rather than depending on the government for employment.

He, however, noted that the polytechnics for some time were facing low enrolment rates due to the establishment of many private universities, which had the same entry requirements and courses.

Dr Asamoah said some students preferred the universities for their first degrees than the HND, and this was also affecting their internally generated revenue of the polytechnics to supplement government’s subvention.