The Director-General of the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), Professor Ahmed Abdulai Jinapor, has expressed concern over the introduction of fee-paying admission schemes by some public universities. The practice, he said, is being done as a benchmark for students who fail to meet standard entry requirements.

According to Professor Jinapor, the development risks denying many qualified but disadvantaged students access to quality tertiary education, particularly in premier public universities where the practice is gaining ground. He warned that the gradual normalization of such fee-paying arrangements could become a major barrier to higher education and further marginalise students with weaker academic grades from accessing tertiary education.

Professor Jinapor cautioned the management of universities against admitting students under special fee-paying arrangements, stressing that such practices are contrary to existing regulations governing tertiary education in Ghana. He urged universities to desist from the move and instead focus on addressing legitimate challenges confronting institutions.

He encouraged universities to proactively take steps to engage relevant stakeholders on critical issues such as inadequate accommodation and infrastructure deficits, rather than introducing policies that could undermine equity and access in higher education.

The GTEC Director-General made these remarks while attending the investiture ceremony of the Vice-Chancellor of Dr. Hilla Limann Technical University, Professor Hamidatu Darimani, alongside the graduation ceremony of the university’s students.

Source: Radio Mak