94 Students Dismissed

The Accra Polytechnic has dismissed 94 students, who were reported to have presented fake certificates to gain admission into the school.

The authorities of the polytechnic are also investigating an additional 591 students who failed to submit their certificates and result slips for verification, despite numerous notices and warnings to that effect.

The dismissed students, comprising first, second and third year students, since the action, have been asked to hand over all property of the polytechnic in their possession.

The Public Relations Officer of the polytechnic, Ms Fausta Ganaa, who disclosed this to the Daily Graphic said, "next time we are not only going to dismiss them but hand them over to the police for prosecution".

According to her, the decision to sack the students was taken by the Academic Board following thorough checks with the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) to determine the authenticity of certificates the students presented for admission.

"The Committee on Verification of Certificates gave those who have been sacked a second chance to clarify issues with the polytechnic after identifying some discrepancies on their certificates.

Some of the students did not show up at all, and for those who came it was detected at WAEC that their certificates were fake," she stated.

She said the practice of cross-checking students' certificates was a regular feature at the polytechnic to ensure that students did not present fake or forged certificates.

She said students who presented fake certificates were normally those who created problems for the authorities by exhibiting acts that were contrary to the rules and regulations of the polytechnic.

Ms Ganaa said that other students who presented fake certificates withdrew before they were found out, saying that "when we asked them to submit their original certificates they never showed up again since they knew their certificates were fake".

She said the authorities of the polytechnic had put adequate measures in place to determine the authenticity of certificates of prospective students presented.

She, therefore, warned students seeking admission at the polytechnic to ensure that their certificates and other documents were genuine before purchasing admission forms since "they would be smoked out when we get to know”.