Ho, Dec 19, GNA - The Principal of Ho Polytechnic, Dr George Mawusi Afeti, on Friday called for the improvement of all pre-tertiary institutions to enable students to compete equally for entry into tertiary institutions.

Dr Afeti said though it might be expedient and well-meaning to reserve a quota of tertiary admissions for students from schools described as disadvantaged, the practice constituted a "reverse discrimination" against students who qualified from the so called good schools. He was addressing the matriculation of 857 new students admitted to the polytechnic.

Dr Afeti said if the practice was seen as a "consolation and reward" in being designated a "disadvantaged" senior secondary school then that might soon become a legitimate aspiration for schools "rather than strive to raise their teaching and learning standards".

"In my opinion, tertiary institutions should not weaken the declared intention and resolve of government to upgrade the teaching and learning facilities of poorly endowed schools by instituting ad-hoc admission policies that apparently seek to compensate for the academic inadequacies of these schools", he said.

Dr Afeti assured the new students including 318 women that "you can be proud that your admission has not been influenced by any other consideration apart from your own merit".