Deputy Ranking Member on the Education Committee of Parliament, Dr. Clement Apaak has questioned the criteria used by the University of Cape Coast (UCC) to confer a Doctor of Philosophy Honoris Causa in Educational Management and Leadership on President Akufo-Addo.
Dr. Apaak who could not fathom what led the University to honor President Akufo-Addo with that doctorate cautioned institutions of higher learning in the country to at all times rise above sycophancy.
In a write-up copied to A1 Radio, Dr. Apaak who is a Member of Parliament for Builsa South Constituency said “ 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?”
He stressed that “ 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.”
It could be recalled that a week ago, a communication came from the Council of the University of Cape Coast (UCC) to the Presidency in a letter dated Friday, April 30, 2021, noted that it has decided to confer on President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo an honorary degree.
It went further to note that a Special Congregation will be held on Saturday, May 29 during which the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Leadership (Honoris Causa) will be conferred on the president.
In that regard, on Monday, May 17, 2021, the Presidency also wrote back to the University through the Minister of Education announcing acceptance of the decision.
But sad with the chronicle of the event, Dr. Apaak asked the University to point out one of the best performances the President has done on the three stages of the educational system that worth the honor.
According to him, since coming to power in 2016, President Akufo-Addo has failed to put proper measures in place to curtail the educational needs of the people.
He said “Basic Education still lacks textbooks almost two years after the introduction of a new standard-based curriculum. Inadequate furniture and overcrowded classrooms are stresses pupils still go through every day. In the Secondary sector; Inadequate space/overcrowding; Overburdened teachers and a culture of silence where Teachers and Headmasters can’t speak about challenges for fear of victimization. Inadequate, unwholesome, and expired food, and corruption associated with supplies to schools. Erratic and haphazard academic calendar, which negatively affects effective teaching and learning as students, parents, and school managers are unable to plan adequately. And finally, obnoxious Double track system, which affects contact hours and makes it impossible for students to finish their syllabus because they spend more time at home than in school.”
Dr. Apaak noted again that for the Tertiary Education, “Inadequate space, resulting in overcrowded lecture halls. Debilitating lecture to student ratios, making it difficult for lecturers to give their best and to grade examination papers. Dwindling numbers of lecturers and a slow pace of training new academics (Ph. D.s) due to funding challenges.”
He, therefore, questioned the University whether these were the conditions under which President Akufo-Addo should be awarded a Doctor of Philosophy Honoris Causa in Educational Management and Leadership?
Source: A1Radioonline.com| 101.1 MHz| Moses Apiah| Ghana
