{"id":3905,"date":"2026-07-04T23:24:07","date_gmt":"2026-07-04T23:24:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rendergh.net\/?p=3905"},"modified":"2026-07-04T23:28:47","modified_gmt":"2026-07-04T23:28:47","slug":"distance-education-should-expand-access-not-financial-burden","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rendergh.net\/fr\/distance-education-should-expand-access-not-financial-burden\/","title":{"rendered":"Distance Education Should Expand Access, Not Financial Burden"},"content":{"rendered":"<h3><\/h3>\n<p>Dr. Fred Kyei Asamoah&#8217;s concern that distance education programmes are more expensive than regular programmes deserves serious attention. Traditionally, distance learning is designed to make education more accessible and affordable for working adults, professionals, and people who cannot attend full-time classes. In many countries, online and distance programmes cost less because institutions save on classroom space, accommodation, and other operational expenses.<\/p>\n<p>In Ghana, however, the opposite appears to be happening. Some universities charge significantly higher fees for weekend and distance programmes, with some students reportedly paying more than <strong>GH\u00a220,000<\/strong>. This raises legitimate questions about whether institutions are using these programmes primarily as revenue-generating ventures rather than fulfilling their original purpose of widening access to higher education.<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_85 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseprofile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/rendergh.net\/fr\/distance-education-should-expand-access-not-financial-burden\/#GTECs_Legal_Limitation\" >GTEC&#8217;s Legal Limitation<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/rendergh.net\/fr\/distance-education-should-expand-access-not-financial-burden\/#Universities_Must_Balance_Sustainability_with_Accessibility\" >Universities Must Balance Sustainability with Accessibility<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/rendergh.net\/fr\/distance-education-should-expand-access-not-financial-burden\/#Graduate_Employability_Remains_a_National_Concern\" >Graduate Employability Remains a National Concern<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/rendergh.net\/fr\/distance-education-should-expand-access-not-financial-burden\/#Moving_Beyond_%E2%80%9CCut-and-Paste%E2%80%9D_Programmes\" >Moving Beyond &#8220;Cut-and-Paste&#8221; Programmes<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/rendergh.net\/fr\/distance-education-should-expand-access-not-financial-burden\/#Stronger_Collaboration_Is_Essential\" >Stronger Collaboration Is Essential<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/rendergh.net\/fr\/distance-education-should-expand-access-not-financial-burden\/#The_Way_Forward\" >The Way Forward<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"GTECs_Legal_Limitation\"><\/span>GTEC&#8217;s Legal Limitation<a href=\"https:\/\/rendergh.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/gh1.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3907\" src=\"https:\/\/rendergh.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/gh1-300x200.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rendergh.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/gh1-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/rendergh.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/gh1-630x420.jpeg 630w, https:\/\/rendergh.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/gh1-150x100.jpeg 150w, https:\/\/rendergh.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/gh1.jpeg 653w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Professor Ahmed Jinapor&#8217;s explanation that GTEC lacks the legal mandate to regulate fees for distance education programmes is an important clarification. Under the current framework, these programmes operate largely on market principles, with universities determining their own pricing.<\/p>\n<p>While GTEC may not have the authority to regulate fees, the discussion suggests there may be a need for Parliament to review existing legislation. If distance education has become an essential pathway for thousands of working Ghanaians, leaving fees entirely to market forces could create inequalities that undermine the government&#8217;s goal of expanding access to tertiary education.<\/p>\n<p>The issue therefore becomes a policy question: Should Parliament extend GTEC&#8217;s regulatory authority to include fee oversight for distance and weekend programmes, or should universities continue to determine prices independently?<a href=\"https:\/\/rendergh.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/gh1.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3907\" src=\"https:\/\/rendergh.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/gh1-300x200.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rendergh.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/gh1-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/rendergh.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/gh1-630x420.jpeg 630w, https:\/\/rendergh.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/gh1-150x100.jpeg 150w, https:\/\/rendergh.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/gh1.jpeg 653w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Universities_Must_Balance_Sustainability_with_Accessibility\"><\/span>Universities Must Balance Sustainability with Accessibility<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Universities also face genuine financial pressures. Maintaining academic staff, digital learning platforms, examination centres, and administrative services requires significant investment. Since many distance programmes are self-financing and receive limited government support, institutions often rely on student fees to sustain them.<\/p>\n<p>However, financial sustainability should not come at the expense of affordability. Excessive fees risk excluding the very working adults and low-income learners that distance education is intended to serve.<\/p>\n<p>Greater transparency in how fees are determined could help build public confidence and demonstrate that charges reflect actual delivery costs rather than profit motives.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Graduate_Employability_Remains_a_National_Concern\"><\/span>Graduate Employability Remains a National Concern<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Another important issue raised by Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum concerns the relevance of university programmes to the labour market.<\/p>\n<p>Graduate unemployment remains a significant challenge in Ghana. Each year, thousands of graduates enter the job market only to struggle in securing meaningful employment. This has intensified public debate over whether universities are producing graduates with skills that match the needs of industry.<\/p>\n<p>Dr. Adutwum&#8217;s proposal for programme rankings based on graduate outcomes could encourage universities to improve curriculum relevance and strengthen partnerships with employers. While rankings alone cannot solve unemployment, they could provide prospective students with useful information about programme quality, employability, and industry demand.<a href=\"https:\/\/rendergh.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/gh1.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3907\" src=\"https:\/\/rendergh.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/gh1-300x200.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rendergh.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/gh1-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/rendergh.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/gh1-630x420.jpeg 630w, https:\/\/rendergh.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/gh1-150x100.jpeg 150w, https:\/\/rendergh.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/gh1.jpeg 653w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Moving_Beyond_%E2%80%9CCut-and-Paste%E2%80%9D_Programmes\"><\/span>Moving Beyond &#8220;Cut-and-Paste&#8221; Programmes<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Professor Jinapor&#8217;s observation that some institutions simply replicate foreign programmes without adapting them to Ghana&#8217;s economic realities is equally significant.<\/p>\n<p>Universities should design programmes that respond to Ghana&#8217;s development priorities, including:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Agriculture and agribusiness<\/li>\n<li>Manufacturing<\/li>\n<li>Artificial intelligence and digital technology<\/li>\n<li>Renewable energy<\/li>\n<li>Healthcare<\/li>\n<li>Technical and vocational education<\/li>\n<li>Entrepreneurship<\/li>\n<li>Climate resilience<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Curricula developed without considering local labour market needs may leave graduates academically qualified but practically unemployable.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Stronger_Collaboration_Is_Essential\"><\/span>Stronger Collaboration Is Essential<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The parliamentary committee&#8217;s visit reflects the importance of continuous engagement between lawmakers and regulatory institutions. Parliament provides the legal framework, while GTEC oversees quality assurance.<\/p>\n<p>If concerns about affordability and programme relevance continue to grow, closer collaboration between Parliament, GTEC, universities, employers, and student representatives will be necessary to develop reforms that balance institutional autonomy with public interest.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Way_Forward\"><\/span>The Way Forward<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Several policy options could emerge from the issues discussed:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Parliament could review the legal framework governing distance education fees.<\/li>\n<li>GTEC could publish greater data on programme quality, accreditation status, and graduate outcomes.<\/li>\n<li>Universities could improve transparency in fee structures.<\/li>\n<li>Institutions could regularly review curricula in consultation with industry.<\/li>\n<li>Government and development partners could support independent programme evaluations and rankings.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"gsp_post_data\" \r\n\t            data-post_type=\"post\" \r\n\t            data-cat=\"education\" \r\n\t            data-modified=\"120\"\r\n\t            data-created=\"1783207447\"\r\n\t            data-title=\"Distance Education Should Expand Access, Not Financial Burden\" \r\n\t            data-home=\"https:\/\/rendergh.net\/fr\"><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Dr. Fred Kyei Asamoah&#8217;s concern that distance education programmes are more expensive than regular programmes deserves serious attention. Traditionally, distance learning is designed to make education more accessible and affordable for working adults, professionals, and people who cannot attend full-time classes. In many countries, online and distance programmes cost less because institutions save on classroom [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3907,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[141],"tags":[271,263,266,275,258,147,273,72,269,247,245,251,255],"class_list":["post-3905","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-education","tag-360-new-com","tag-3nesw-com","tag-bbc-sports-com","tag-bbc-com","tag-daillygraphics-com","tag-ghana-home-page","tag-ghanaeyegh-com","tag-innovation","tag-joy-online-com","tag-trendingnews-net","tag-uew-net","tag-university-of-ghana-com","tag-yengh-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/rendergh.net\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3905","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/rendergh.net\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/rendergh.net\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rendergh.net\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rendergh.net\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3905"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/rendergh.net\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3905\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3908,"href":"https:\/\/rendergh.net\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3905\/revisions\/3908"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rendergh.net\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3907"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/rendergh.net\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3905"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rendergh.net\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3905"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rendergh.net\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3905"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}