GH Schools, a provider of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), has launched a 24-hour TVET education initiative to enhance access whilst maintaining quality and competence.
The initiative, dubbed: “Round-the-Clock Education System,” is to make TVET accessible anytime and anywhere, with a focus on hands-on academic experiences that promote critical thinking, problem-solving skills and innovation.
Mr Leslie Addo-Listowell, the Rector, said the programme, which is in line with the Government’s 24-Hour Economic Agenda, would not only improve livelihoods and foster prosperity but significantly tackle the large numbers seen during the admission period.
“Because of our significant impact, we are always oversubscribed, especially in our fashion, catering and multimedia departments. Last semester, 254 students applied for the fashion course and we were supposed to admit 150, but we admitted 158, leaving 96 students,” he said.
Mr Addo-Listowell said with a population of 10,000 students, the institution currently has a morning learning session from 0800 hours to 1200 noon and from 1300 hours to 1700 hours for the afternoon learning session.
“We are adding a dawn session from 0400 hours to 0800 hours for those who like to learn before going to work,” he noted.
“For those who like to go to work and come to learn, we have our evening school from 1800 hours to 2200 hours. We are thinking of having a midnight school.”
The Rector said the Round-the-Clock Education System was also a development pathway for people without any certification to apply for the internal certificate of competence.
This includes people who need practical skills, ready for the job market and entrepreneurship.
The Commission for Technical, Vocational Education and Training (CTVET) has accredited the GH Schools for their eight programmes, with plans underway to finalise accreditation processes for the High National Diploma programmes.
Madam Samlara Baah Koduah, Lead, Social Transformation and Civic Engagement, Government 24-hour Economic Agenda Secretariat, commended GH Schools for blazing the trail as the first educational institution rolling out a 24-hour system.
She said the Round-the-Clock Education System was in line with ‘Aspire 24,’ a sub programme of Government’s 24-hour Economic Agenda.
The Aspire 24 focuses on promoting youth skills, digital skills, fashion and mainstreaming technology among others.
“We will be partnering with GH Schools to create opportunities for the skilled personnel being produced. We are looking at how to help the trained professionals to work effectively post training,” Madam Koduah said.
Mr Christian Tetteh Badger, Municipal Chief Executive, Okaikwei North Municipality, urged the school authorities to continue impacting the human resource, adding that the Assembly would never relent in supporting the GH Schools.
He said the reset agenda of the Government demanded that all citizens, including students, had a renewed mindset of doing things properly and responsibly to develop the country.