Stop reproducing what are in textbooks - Prof. urges students

A time has come for students to stop reproducing what is contained in the textbooks and begin to come out with their own models and theories to push forward the development agenda of the country, said Professor Olivia Kwapong,Head of the Department of Distance Education at the University of Ghana.

Prof. Kwapong emphasised the need for students, particularly those in the tertiary institutions, to aspire to develop themselves by coming out with their own theories rather than depending on the old teaching and learning which has been witnessed over the years.

She maintained that no country can develop without placing premium on education; hence education should be seen as a right and not a privilege.

Professor Kwapong was speaking at the 4th matriculation of graduate students at the Institute of Local Government Studies (ILGS) in Accra on Friday.

The event witnessed the admission of 76 students into the Institute to offer Masters programmes in the areas of Local Government Administration and Organisation, Local Government Financial Management, Local Economic Management and Environmental Science, Policy and Management.

Prof. Kwapong encouraged the matriculants to ensure that they took away a lot of knowledge from the institute to complement their sacrifices and the resources they have invested to pursue their various programme. “Set yourselves up, establish yourselves and don't be limited. Your passion is your resource,” she added.

A Deputy Minister for Education, Hon.Okudzeto Ablakwa, in a solidarity remark, congratulated the matriculates for opting to specialise in Local Government and Decentralization.

Hon Okudzeto said, “If education is to achieve what it seeks to achieve, then it must attain full decentralization. He continued, “The future survival quality education is linked to quality local government administration.”