Next NDC Govt will Scrap New University Bill
The Flagbearer for the opposition National Democratic Congress, NDC, H. E John Dramani Mahama, has revealed that the next NDC government would scrap the university bill if passed by parliament.
He said the current bill before parliament if passed would only seek to destroy the educational structures.
The Draft Bill when passed into law will provide “the legal status of public universities, the procedure for financing public universities and administration and supervision of the activities of public universities and related matters,” according to the Ministry of Education.
Clauses 5 and 12, the contentious clauses in the 48-clause bill stipulated e among others that the governing body of a Public University is a Council which shall consist of the following nine members appointed by the President:
(a) A chairperson nominated by the President;
(b) The Vice-Chancellor;
(c) Four persons nominated by the President, one of whom shall be a woman;
(d) One representative of the registered Unions in the university on rotational basis
(e) One representative of the University convocation elected by the convocation;
(h) One representative of the students of the University, nominated by the
Students’ Union; and
(j) One representative from the National Council for Tertiary Education who shall be a non-voting member.
It also states that the chairperson and other members of the Council shall be appointed by the President in accordance to article 70 of the Constitution.
The President may dissolve and reconstitute the council in cases of emergencies or appoint an interim council to operate for a stated period, according to the Draft Bill.
But former President Mahama said he would drop the Bill when they assume power in 2021, he made the statement when he addressed members of the Technical University Teachers Association of Ghanan at his office in Accra, on Monday.
The former Ghanaian leader expressed disappointment at the level of silence by teachers and head of schools in the country adding that ” the government tagging and threatening teachers and headmasters who spoke their minds”.
“We are in democracy and every one is entitle to free speech but what is happening under this current government is disappointing “, he added.
Spokesperson for the group, Dr. Solomon Keelson commended the former President and his party, the NDC for showing key interest in resourcing the TVET.
According to him, TVET has become necessary in building the economy of the nation since lack of human capital has become bane on the government in providing job to the youth.
Dr. Solomon cautioned that TVET should not be an alternative in seeking admission in institutions of higher learning.
The former Deputy Minister for Education, Hon. Samuel Ablakwa reiterated his party’s commitment in expanding educational infrastructures across the country.
Mr. Ablakwa pointed out that as a government, they were able to convert 8 Polytechnics into technical University with the exception of Wa and Bolga Polytechnics.
The North Tongu MP reveals to the group the NDC readiness to ensure the remaining two polytechnics are converted into technical Universities while they build from the scratch 6 new Technical Universities in the newly created regions.
By: Iddrissu A. Jara
