Acting Vice Chancellor of Kumasi Technical University has observed, the mass exodus of teachers could defeat the purpose of converting Polytechnics to Technical Universities.

Prof. Asiamah Yeboah blames the situation on poor conditions of service compared to their counterparts in the traditional universities.

The Kumasi Technical University has lost five teaching staff including four PhD lecturers since last year, to other institutions. 

Speaking at the 13th congregation ceremony, Prof. Asiamah says a revision of working conditions will be crucial in averting the crises.

“This is scary. The time for the educational authorities to act is long overdue,” he warned.

He said the university is in dilemma with regard to the advertisement of its four-year bachelor degree programmes as it is yet to receive the National Council of Tertiary Education (NCTE) and National Accreditation Board’s (NAB) approval.

“I am aware that the WASSCE results are yet to be released, the fact still remains that we are likely to lose a good number of applicants who would have enrolled on our demand-driven programmes,” he said.

Responding to the Vice Chancellor’s plea, Minister of Education, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, acknowledged the problems but entreated the university council to team up with the NCTE and the Public Services Commission to address them.

“We know for a fact that there are teething problems that need to be addressed particularly among staff and their qualifications. Through your council, you start a deliberation with the National Council for Technical Education and Public Services Commission, to ensure your staff are put on the appropriate pay scale,” he said.

He supported the university’s quest for a Public Private Partnership in addition to traditional sources of income to fund a campus at Kuntanase.

The government he said, will explore ways to ensure the idea is practicalised.

The university graduated a total of 3,056 students of which 244 graduated with Bachelor of Technology and 2,812 with Higher National Diploma, Professional Diploma and Ordinary Diploma.