The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has directed all universities and colleges to stop making entrance examinations a compulsory requirement for admission, stressing that admissions must be based on the approved minimum entry qualifications, with the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) serving as the primary basis for entry.
The directive follows concerns by the Commission that some tertiary institutions have introduced mandatory entrance examinations as a precondition for admission, a practice it says undermines the country’s approved admissions framework and restricts equitable access to higher education.
In a statement issued under its mandate established by the Education Regulatory Bodies Act, 2020 (Act 1023), GTEC reminded institutions that it is the statutory body responsible for developing and implementing policies governing admission criteria and requirements for tertiary education in Ghana.
The Commission clarified that although entrance examinations may be conducted in certain cases, they should only serve as an additional assessment tool and must not replace or supersede the minimum admission requirements based on WASSCE results.
“Entrance examinations shall only be used as an additional component to the prescribed requirements, based on competitiveness and not as a prerequisite that overrides the WASSCE-based minimum entry requirements,” the statement said.
GTEC has therefore instructed the heads of tertiary institutions that have introduced, or intend to introduce, admission notices requiring compulsory entrance examinations to immediately withdraw such notices and align their admission procedures with the approved national regulatory framework.
The Commission emphasised that compliance with the national admissions guidelines is essential to ensuring fairness, transparency and equal access to tertiary education for all qualified applicants.
It further urged all institutions to adhere strictly to the established admission policies to safeguard the integrity of Ghana’s tertiary education system and promote equitable opportunities for prospective students.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
