GUNPS Wants Poly Bill Back To House

The Minister of Education, Science and Sports has been urged to return the Polytechnic Bill to Parliament for further deliberation.
Martin Kwame Sedem, outgoing president of the Ghana National Union of Polytechnic Students (GUNPS), who made the call, questioned the basis for the withdrawal of the bill from Parliament and indicated said the action had created the impression of a deliberate attempt to deny the polytechnics the opportunity of attaining academic independence.
'The bill, which will enable polytechnics to offer tertiary education in their own right, has been withdrawn from Parliament and the union’s intelligence source has revealed that no explanation has been given for the withdrawal ,' he complained in Accra on Wednesday when speaking at a handing over ceremony of the GNUPS leadership to a new 10-member executive.
Mr Sedem also appealed to the GETFund to discontinue its intention to privatise the hostels of the various polytechnics, explaining that if carried out, it would over- burden the student’s financially since they would have to pay more for the hostel facilities.
He described the move as unfortunate, saying the polytechnics have efficient personnel to manage the facilities.
The new GNUPS president, Mr. Stephen Asare Amankwa, gave assurance of his resolve to position the union as a potent force in the country’s development agenda.
He called for mutual trust and commitment from the entire membership of the association in order to break its numerous barriers impeding its progress.
He commended the government for the infrastructural developments at the various polytechnics and called for support from other stakeholders in the educational sector.
The Dean of Students Affairs of Accra Polytechnic, Nana Dr. Obiri Yeboa, who chaired the function, entreated the students to assert themselves by working hard and making the best of the opportunities available to them.