General News of Monday, 9 July 2007

Source: GNA

Takoradi Polytechnic re-schedules exams

Takoradi, July 9, GNA- The Takoradi Polytechnic Council and Management have postponed the end of second semester examinations slated for today to July 16.

In a release signed by Mr. Jones Addai-Marfo, Polytechnic Secretary stated that the Students representative Council (SRC) petitioned the council through the Parliamentary Select committee on education for a two-week extension of the examinations time table to enable them prepare adequately.

Mr. Addai-Marfo said council agreed and decided to extend the period to July 16.

He however reminded the students that by Polytechnic rules, students who failed to take examinations and other practical work on campus are deem to have failed that paper and urged them to take the new dates seriously.

In a related development, Mr. Emmanuel Afedu-Koomson, Acting SRC secretary in a petition to the school dated July 5 stated that the date for the examinations were not favourable and should be extended. They also called for the immediate withdrawal of all Policemen from the campus and the Ghacem hall should be opened to all students. The students also asked that the Principal should proceed on leave until investigations were over.

Mr. Addai-Marfo explained that the Parliamentary select committee led by Mr. Joe Balado Manu, held meetings with the SRC and later met management to plead for an extension for the students. He said no committee of enquiry had been established to investigate the Principal, Dr. Samuel Obeng Apori and that they do not understand the petition of the students.

Mr. Addai-marfo said the SRC representative on the Council has copies of all meetings and all decisions of the Polytechnic. He explained that the four Policemen on the schools campus was meant to ensure law and order and not meant to intimidate, harass or bully any student.

Mr. Addai-Marfo urged the students to go about their duties without any fear of the Police.

A visit to the campus by the Ghana News Agency (GNA) on Monday indicated that life was returning to normalcy with students busily studying in the libraries, classrooms and other places while others were not happy over the re-scheduling of the examinations.