GNUPS Week launched at Takoradi Polytechnic

Takoradi, May 12, GNA - Mr Haruna Iddrisu, the Minority Spokesperson for Communication, on Friday called for the re-opening of the national debate on the funding of higher education.

He made the call when launching 2005/2006 Ghana National Union of Polytechnic Students (GNUPS) and Women's Commission Week Celebration at the Takoradi Polytechnic.

Mr Iddrisu, the Member of Parliament for Tamale South, said the major problem facing polytechnics and other tertiary institutions was funding. He said the polytechnics and tertiary institutions lacked adequate equipment, facilities and infrastructure and these could be provided when there was adequate funding.

Mr Iddrisu said enrolment at the polytechnics had increased substantially since they were turned into tertiary institutions. He said many qualified persons were denied admission every year because of lack of facilities, infrastructure and inadequate lecturers.

Mr Iddrisu said the GETFUND is supposed to supplement government educational budget but is now doing what the government is expected to do.

He also spoke of contradictions in the proposed Polytechnic Bill that is now before Parliament.

Nana Ohene Ntow, General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party, said the GETFUND has made provision for 30 per cent subsidy of the academic facility user fee at the polytechnics and other tertiary institutions. He said the Kumasi and Ho polytechnics are eligible for elevation to university colleges because of development that has taken in academic work and infrastructure.

Nana Ntow said the government is to provide funds for the completion of all on-going projects at the Takoradi Polytechnic this year. He advised lecturers of the polytechnic who are awarded scholarships to pursue further studies to return to their schools after completion of their courses to improve academic work.

Professor Frimpong Boateng, Chief Executive of Korle Bu Teaching Hospital who was the guest speaker, said the polytechnics could be turned into polytechnic universities and empowered to undertake research and higher work in technology.

He said polytechnics are in a class of their own to train manpower for industrialisation of the country.

Professor Frimpong Boateng said the term that the polytechnics are in existence to train "Middle level manpower" should be discarded because they are there to train manpower for specific duties.

He said the role of the polytechnics has not been clearly defined because Ghana does not have a science and technology policy. Professor Frimpong Boateng said the polytechnics should be empowered to manufacture machines because any country that does not manufacture its own machines could not develop.

He said any country that depends on other countries for its necessities could not develop. 12 May 06