B-POLY RECTOR ‘SLAPS’ POLICY MAKERS FOR LOW SCIENCE ADMISSIONS
Edward Adeti’s Report, Bolga, Upper East
The plummeting admissions into the sciences and engineering departments of polytechnics in the country have provoked a tongue-lashing on the larger society, policy makers and employers for practically encouraging the perception that students must avoid science-related programmes if they must qualify for the fastest and most rewarding jobs. Addressing the ninth matriculation of the Bolgatanga Polytechnic, the Rector, Dr. Mba Atinga, noted with worry that the longer the perception persisted, the deeper the admissions for science-related programmes sank throughout the country.
Out of the 543 fresh students that were offered admission into the polytechnic this year for various programmes, the sciences and engineering departments account for 26.5% of admissions. According to the Rector, the percentage is nearly a repeat of what was seen in the previous academic year.
“Of late, there have been some concerns raised about the disproportionate number of students doing business-related programmes in tertiary institutions. Ideally, we should have 60% in the sciences and 40% in the arts. The problem is not with the polytechnics but with the larger society, policy makers and employers. Prospective students choose courses based on their perception, sometimes of the sectors that would yield the fastest or most rewarding jobs. They may also choose a course depending on the esteem in which society values that profession. As long as we operate a container or kiosk economy, as long as we are more interested in distributing products that others have produced, the situation will persist,” Dr. Atinga stated.
Calling for an end to the worrying trend, the Rector underscored the need to reorient the economy to “production and manufacturing” that depends on the results of research and ingenuity. Whilst further calling for incentives in the teaching and learning of sciences, he also recommended enrolling basic school children into the early-childhood school of thought where science is recognised as the basis of life.
He affirmed that the polytechnic was committed to producing graduates who were expected to have control over the unforeseeable ever-changing situations in the global economy. “That is the reason we train our students to be career-focused, hands-on to problem solving and responsive to the needs and demands of the society, employers and professional bodies. We expect our students to be entrepreneurial upon completion. This vision is built on the foundations of quality teaching, relevant curriculum and regular assessment of students,” he added.
Touching on a number of challenges confronting the polytechnic, the Rector listed hostel accommodation, lecture room infrastructure, library facilities, office accommodation and transport. He described the challenges as a threat to the vision and mission of the institution, adding that any further neglect could “subvert the Polytechnic Act from which we draw our existence.” He appealed to such major stakeholders as government, ministries, departments, agencies and assemblies to give the institution special consideration in the allocation of resources.
Announcing the institution’s aim to be one of the leading polytechnics in the country, Dr. Atinga assured the fresh students that the management and staff would spare no effort and resources in offering them the best polytechnic education. He made it clear that the statutes of the institution frowned at all forms of indiscipline including alcoholism, promiscuity as well as scruffy dressing and examination malpractices among others.
“For some of you, this is the first time you are living independent of immediate parental supervision. Do not misuse this so-called independence. We expect you to be committed to your academic endeavour. You are free to engage in your social pursuits but not at the expense of your academic work. We will apply the academic rules rigorously especially at examination time and without fear and favour,” he stressed.
Famous educationist and founding Rector of the polytechnic, Mr. Robert Ajene, commended the management and staff of the institution for producing sought-after graduates under trying working conditions. He urged the fresh students to stay focused on the mandate of the polytechnic which, according to him, was to provide the society with middle-level manpower. Ghana, Mr. Ajene emphasised, prefers people who can use their hands to work sixty percent to academic achievements. He echoed Dr. Mba’s caution against examination malpractice and added that any fresh student caught to have gained admission with invalid results into the institution would be thrown out.
Sharing the success secrets of the polytechnic despite the challenges, the Head of Academic and Students’ Affairs at the polytechnic, Miss Mary Afi Mensah, told the Daily Dispatch in an exclusive interview that the institution was above all “driven by passion for excellence and perseverance on its mandate to provide opportunities for skills development, applied research and publication of research findings.” She maintained that polytechnics were practical-oriented and advised its students to see and appreciate themselves as such, rather than engaging in unhealthy comparisons.
