The Private University Founders Association (PUFA) has commended the Ministry of Education and the Honourable Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, for acknowledging the concerns of Private Universities and initiating steps to amend the Education Regulatory Bodies Act, 2020 (Act 1023).
We appreciate the Minister's recognition of the vital role Private Universities play in widening access to higher education," said Martin-K. Gyambrah, Executive Secretary of PUFA in a statement.
He added that "The reaffirmed commitment to Access, Relevance, and Quality (ARQ), supported by oversight from the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), provides a balanced approach that encourages institutional growth while maintaining high academic standards."
The proposed amendment will make the chartering process optional for Private tertiary institutions, providing them with greater flexibility to innovate and enhance their contributions to national development. According to PUFA, this policy shift directly addresses the long-standing challenges associated with the current chartering framework, which Private Universities have often found restrictive and cumbersome.
PUFA also expressed appreciation to Parliament's Select Committee on Education, led by Hon. Peter Nortsu-Kotoe, for advocating for optional chartering. "His citing of research indicating that the government saves approximately fifty thousand (GHC50,000) Ghana Cedis per student enrolled in Private Institutions highlights the substantial value private universities deliver to the state," Gyambrah added.
The Association has expressed its readiness to collaborate with the Ministry and all stakeholders to strengthen Ghana's tertiary education sector and advance meaningful reforms. This development is seen as a significant step towards promoting private sector participation in the provision of quality education in Ghana.
PUFA's Executive Secretary emphasized that the Association is committed to working with the government to ensure that the reforms are implemented effectively, and that the concerns of Private Universities are addressed. He also commended the Minister for Education for his commitment to improving the education sector and promoting access to quality education for all Ghanaians.
Comments