“Unfortunately the polytechnics are also being turned [into technical universities] and I think it is unfortunate.
“It sounds like a rather populist move and it is in response to the romantic love for universities in this country,” Prof. Yankah said on Friday during a discussion on The Lounge with host Kwaku Sakyi Addo and Educationist Anis Harfar.
Prof. Yankah added that Ghanaians have become university oriented that the importance of technical education has been forgotten.
“We are so university oriented that we forget about the importance of polytechnics and the government also comes along innocently and says I have started a process of converting polytechnics into universities and so they also want to be called universities so they gain a certain measure of respect.”
The comments from the former University of Ghana Vice Chancellor come as government has commenced processes to convert about six polytechnics into technical universities.
The six polytechnics earmarked for conversion into technical universities have officially met the eligibility criteria, according to a report of the Education Committee of Parliament.
They are the Accra, Ho, Koforidua, Sunyani, Kumasi and Takoradi polytechnics. The eligibility criteria hinged on institutional standing, academic staff requirements and evidence of collaboration with industry and employers in the delivery of programmes, the report said.
Source: Ghana/Starrfmonline.com