The Vice Presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, has called on tertiary institutions to avoid what she describes as head-splitting of educational disciplines.
She believes this practice undermines students’ preparedness for the job market and contributes to the unemployment crisis.
Speaking to the leadership of some unions and tertiary institutions in Sunyani, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang emphasized that the excessive fragmentation of academic programs creates graduates with narrow skills sets. This, she explained, places an extra burden on employers, who are often forced to hire additional personnel to cover various roles that one well-rounded employee could manage.
Citing the example of the University of Cape Coast (UCC), the former Education Minister noted that UCC’s integrated approach to education better equips students for the job market. The university’s decision to avoid excessive specialization offers students diverse opportunities in their careers.
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang also reflected on the challenges associated with funding and labor disputes in the education sector, referencing recurring conflicts between the government and university unions. She stressed the need for effective planning and collaboration with industry to secure sustainable funding for tertiary institutions.
She pointed out that the Finance Minister should not be searching for millions of dollars every year to resolve conflicts with UTAG and other unions over issues like estate rates. Proposals for properly costed projects, attracting funding, and scaling them up with government and industry support are essential.
She mentioned that the establishment of new institutions like the University of Health and Allied Sciences was driven by a focus on addressing critical national needs. The need to think through challenges with the right lenses, similar to how the health sector prioritizes the training of doctors, is crucial.