SRC criticises decision to slash intake by 40 per cent

Accra, July 8, GNA - The Students' Representative Council (SRC) of the University of Ghana, Legon, on Tuesday expressed shock at the decision by authorities to slash the ongoing intake of fresh students by 40 per cent as compared to last year's admissions.

A press statement jointly signed by Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwah and Peter Nana Asiedu, Acting SRC Press Secretary and SRC President respectively in Accra expressed regret that tertiary education would soon be a privilege and no more a right.

The SRC said: "The decision of the authorities was not only inhumane but the situation does not provide the much needed solution." The SRC admitted the shortage of facilities and there is the need for quality training.

However, even if the authorities decide not to admit a single student for the next academic year the problems of the university would remain the same.

"Denial of qualified Ghanaians access to tertiary education is the greatest disservice anybody can do to any nation, especially when its human resource is embedded in the youth who are the bedrock of this country's future."

The SRC said the time had come for the government to take the bull by the horn and embark on an accelerated development agenda geared at salvaging the looming educational disaster.

The statement said there was room for expansion of available infrastructure in all departments, halls and faculties. "One does not seem to know why government cannot task businesses and investors to contribute their quota to facilitate expansions initiated by the government."

The SRC called on the government to implement the recommendation of the President's Educational Review Committee by floating education bonds to finance infrastructure projects and setting up of endowment funds at tertiary institutions through the support of the Alumni and Business community.

It also asked the Vice Chancellor to explore other alternatives proposed by the SRC "to avert dashing the dreams and hopes of thousands of Ghanaian youth who do not deserve nor have any part to play in such a fate."