<<Print>>

Kwesi Pratt Jnr., Managing Editor of the Insight newspaper has bemoaned the state of infrastructure in Tertiary institutions across the country.

Commenting on issues regarding the "Free SHS" policy of the current administration, Kwesi Pratt asked the government to step up their efforts and improve the programme.

According to him, there still remains major challenges in the education sector that need to be addressed in order to upgrade Universities and the Tertiary institutions in the country to accommodate the massive numbers that will be entering the institutions.

About 145,000 Senior High School (SHS) graduates are estimated to seek admission into Tertiary schools in 2020, Minister of State in charge of Tertiary Education, Prof. Kwesi Yankah revealed.

The figure will reportedly be an increase of 55,000 over the current admission of 90,000 into Tertiary institutions.

“We will normally expect about 90,000 students going to tertiary institutions every year. It is now going to be 145, 000,” he told the Daily Graphic, describing it as a “huge number and unprecedented," he said in an interview with the Daily Graphic.

This, according to Kwesi Pratt, is problematic because the facilities in the various Universities are inadequate and burden the institutions.

Kwesi Pratt Jnr., speaking on Peace FM's 'Kokrokoo', narrated an incident at the University saying due to the huge number of students; there are cases where some students stand outside lecture halls during lectures.

He added that this has also created a situation where in today's era, some lecturers use "public address system" to teach the students who are in excesses.

Mr. Pratt called on the government to address the challenges in the education sector, particularly the Universities because the halls are gradually turning into rally centers.

“Some University lecturers use public address system this time . . . One thing about studies is the personal contact between you and the student. So, if the facilities have gone to the extent that lecturers use public address system; then it’s like a rally. Then it’s not classes we’re attending but rally,” he stated.