The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has trained officials of mentor universities and affiliated Colleges of Education on a new quality assurance framework aimed at strengthening oversight and improving the quality of tertiary education partnerships. The training, which took place in Kumasi, is part of GTEC's efforts to enhance the academic standing of affiliated institutions.
New Framework for Tertiary Education Partnerships
The GTEC Affiliation Quality Assurance Framework provides a structured system for monitoring and evaluating the relationship between mentor universities and affiliated Colleges of Education. The framework has 25 indicators scored on a four-level scale, and institutions are required to provide documentary evidence to support their ratings. This new framework challenges institutions to be honest with themselves and self-aware, and it compels them to identify priority areas and propose clear, actionable remediation plans with defined actions and realistic timelines.
According to Professor Ahmed Jinapor Abdulai, Director-General of the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission, the framework is not intended to punish institutions. "This framework is not an instrument of punishment. It is a supportive tool designed to provide clarity, objectivity, and predictability in our reporting processes," he said. "We rise and fall together, and our success is ultimately measured by the quality of the teachers we produce for the nation."
Accountability and Continuous Improvement
The framework also places emphasis on accountability, requiring institutions to identify corrective actions for areas rated "Developing" or "Absent," assign responsibility for the interventions, and set clear timelines for implementation. Professor Samuel Atintonio, a participant in the training, said the framework will provide institutions with a structured pathway for continuous improvement in the delivery of teacher education. "When the indicators are low, it means there is an area to be improved," he said. "If a school requires 50 lecturers and there are only 25, it will affect teaching and learning. So ultimately we need to find an opportunity to solve it, either by training more teachers or finding part-timers to fill the gap."
Strengthening Oversight and Improving Quality
The framework requires participating institutions to jointly assess their performance twice every academic year to ensure mutual development and improve the academic standing of affiliated institutions. Institutions scoring below 55 percent in any domain will trigger GTEC intervention, while persistent gaps without credible improvement efforts could lead to escalated engagement by the Commission. Professor Jinapor Abdulai assured that the framework is designed to provide clarity, objectivity, and predictability in the reporting processes, and it challenges institutions to be honest with themselves and self-aware.
What's Next for Tertiary Education Partnerships?
The implementation of the GTEC Affiliation Quality Assurance Framework is a significant step towards strengthening oversight and improving the quality of tertiary education partnerships in Ghana. As institutions continue to work towards continuous improvement, it remains to be seen how effective this framework will be in achieving its goals. However, with the support of the GTEC, institutions can work towards providing high-quality teacher education that meets the needs of the nation.
Source: Joy Online
