Our institutions of higher learning ought to rise above sycophancy if we are to believe their true independence. Can UCC put out the justification for voting to confer a Doctor of Philosophy Honoris Causa in Educational Management and Leadership on Mr. Akufo-Addo?
How could an otherwise reputable University award Doctor of Philosophy Honoris Causa in Educational Management and Leadership to a President under whom our educational system has faced the most debilitating challenges.
What is the criteria? Is it:
1) Basic Education; a) Lack of textbooks almost two years after the introduction of a new standard based curriculum, b) Inadequate furniture and overcrowded classrooms.
2) Secondary Education; a) Inadequate space/overcrowding; b) Overburdened teachers and a culture of silence where Teachers and Headmasters can’t speak about challenges for fear of victimisation; c) Inadequate, unwholesome and expired food, and corruption associated with supplies to schools; d) Erratic and haphazard academic calendar, which negatively affects effective teaching and learning as students, parents and school managers are unable to plan adequately; e) The obnoxious Double track system, which affects contact hours and makes it impossible for students to finish thier syllabus because they spend more time at home than in school.
3) Tertiary Education; a) Inadequate space, resulting in overcrowded lecture halls; b) Debilitating lecture to student ratios, making it difficult for lecturers to give thier best and to grade examination papers; c) Dwindling numbers of lecturers and a slow pace of training new academics (Ph.D.s) due to funding challenges.
Are these the conditions under which Akufo-Addo should be awarded a Doctor of Philosophy Honoris Causa in Educational Management and Leadership?
I leave the judgment to the good people of Ghana and posterity.
I remain a Citizen!
Dr. Clement Apaak
M.P, Builsa South and Deputy Ranking Member On The Committee on Education
