Politics

We have shut down 149 distance learning centres — GTEC boss Prof. Jinapor

Director-General of the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), Prof. Ahmed Jinapor Abdulai, has raised alarm over the state of distance education in Ghana, revealing that 149 centres have been shut down for operating without authorisation or accreditation.

“As we speak, the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission has flagged down about 149 distance learning centres. These centres are unfit for purpose. They are being run in churches, public works departments, and even electricity company offices. We cannot allow this to happen,” Prof. Jinapor said.

He stressed that the country’s progress in expanding tertiary education risks being undermined by poorly managed centres. “Ghana has been working hard to promote tertiary education, but unfortunately, distance education seems to be replaced by distancing education,” he lamented.

Speaking at a two-day capacity-building workshop on Ghana’s Open and Distance Learning (ODL) policy implementation strategies on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, Prof. Jinapor also criticised the attempt to mimic physical classrooms in scattered locations. “Replicating traditional classrooms in scattered locations across the country cannot be deemed distance education,” he argued.

He further disclosed that many of the affected centres were located within second-cycle schools already battling the double-track system, which worsens the strain on resources.

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