General News of Thursday, 31 January 2013

Source: radioxyzonline.com

Empower NAB to stop illegal universities - Prof. Agyemang

The Minister for Education designate, Professor Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang, says she would ensure that illegal institutions operating in the country are stopped if approved by Parliament’s Appointments Committee.

Answering a question on how to ensure that unaccredited universities are checked in the country, the former Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast said “we have a duty to educate the public on which institutions are accredited” adding “and we must stop the operation of illegal institutions. I would like to see the National Accreditation Board better empowered to do their job”.

Prof. Opoku Agyemang made these known when she took her turn at the vetting of ministerial nominees on Thursday.

Prof. Opoku Agyemang also attributed the problem of public universities not ranked higher in the world to lack of resources and infrastructure.

She further explained that the lack of resources and infrastructure hampers effective teaching and learning and also goes to affect the performance of teachers.

She however expressed optimism that the problem can be resolved if there is an aggressive recruitment and training of lecturers.

Professor Agyemang added that the several strike threats by NAGRAT is due to cumbersome procedures in resolution of labour problems in the country adding that the procedures need to be limited and also made effective.

Asked how she would tackle sex for grade in public universities she admonished female students to learn hard to do better in school and not give in to advances of opportunistic male lecturers in order to be passed.