PIJ holds 2nd matriculation

Professional Institute of Journalism (PIJ) has held its second matriculation ceremony at the school premises in Accra.

In all thirty-six (36) students were admitted into various programmes

Addressing the students, the guest speaker for the occasion, Rev. John S.M Wee, pointed out that private institutions play important role in the country.

He noted that about 41% of students who applied for admission into the public institutions were denied access.

That percentage of students he said consequently turned to the private institutions for admission.

However, he expressed worry about some challenges facing the private institutions in the country.

These, he mentioned, included lack of funds, stating there is no direct support from the national government for the private universities and colleges.

Aside from the financial constraint, Rev. S.M Wee asserted that meeting the accreditation criteria by the National Accreditation Board (NAB) was also another huge problem facing the private institutions.

He, therefore, underscored the need for public private partnership (PPP) to help promote quality education in Ghana.

In an interview with Today, the principal of PIJ, Mr. Eric Nii Odartey Lamptey, said: “the aim of this institution is to make students understand that there is more to journalism than politics.”

The school, he recounted, started in 2009 but “has since been facing some financial difficulties.”

He added: “…because the school is a private school, people are reluctant to help and that has been my burden all these years.”

Courses offered by the school include Journalism and media studies, marketing and other commercial management courses.