Authorities of Polytechnics in Ghana have been urged to introduce Competency Based Learning (CBL) approach in the training of students pursuing courses in Engineering and Applied Science Departments. Dr Samuel Addo, Head of Agriculture Engineering Department at Ho Polytechnic who made the call said it would ensure the students were better prepared for the job market and self-employment. He was addressing a workshop on the CBL curriculum jointly developed by lecturers in Agricultural Engineering Departments of Ho, Wa, Tamale and Bolgatanga Polytechnics at Ho. The two million euros project was initiated with support from the Netherlands Government. Dr Addo speaking to Ghana News Agency, said CBL was a practical problem solving approach in which students applied their knowledge in practice, focused on developing their knowledge, skills, values and attitudes. He explained that professional skills which constituted 60 per cent of the training and assessment of students focused on post harvest technology, soil and water engineering, mechanisation, machinery and 40 per cent on acquisition of conceptual knowledge and practical training in the laboratory and attachment. Dr Addo said under the CBL approach students developed a routine and produced measurable products that could be assessed by industry and educational institutions. He said they study in a flexible way, developed their own learning process and motivated to learn because the learning environment was stimulating and called on stakeholders in industry, government and NGO’s to invest in implementing the new approach to polytechnic training in the country. Dr Hans Corten of CAH Droten Professional Agricultural University in the Netherlands said the award of Higher National Diploma (HND) was different field of competency and not a diluted Master of Science Degree from the university. He noted that a competency based HND holder was better than a graduate in the field of Engineering and Applied Sciences. Dr Corten who co-ordinated the development of CBL for the polytechnics said different equipment and people with the right orientation were required to teach in the polytechnics but not a PhD Degree. The participants mostly polytechnic lecturers commended the CBL approach in the polytechnics but pointed out that it required much collaboration between students and lecturers for its implementation. Source: GNA