Only 110 of Ghana’s almost 720 senior high schools have had students accepted into the country’s two traditional medical schools, KNUST and the University of Ghana. Only 110 SHSs have produced medical students for UG and KNUST in 8 years –Prof Addae Mensah
In an interview with JoyNews, Prof Addae Mensah, a former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana, revealed this.
The academician said the contributions made by these institutions have been substantial, taking into account the quantity and quality of persons churned out, while recounting the gains of the schools of origin during 60 years of medical education.
Prof. Addae Mensah, on the other hand, was concerned that little progress had been made in the area of studying medicine as a means of social mobility.
“At the last count, we were meant to have 720 senior high schools in the country,” the academician explained.
“From 2012 to 2020, we will accept 1,272 students to the University of Ghana Medical School.” The KNUST School of Medical Sciences has admitted a comparable number of students.
“Of the 610 schools in this country that have never sent a student to our two medical schools in the last eight years, about 110 have been admitted.”
The Professor went on to say that five schools out of 110 that delivered students to these two premier medical schools had been dominant.
“Let’s look at the Medical School at the University of Ghana. Between 2013 and 2020, 1,272 pupils attended the first five schools: Wesley Girls School, Presec (Legon), Achimota, Mfantsipim, Holy Child, and Prempeh. “These five institutions alone have generated 50% of the medical students in our medical school, and 18 schools have produced more than 75% of the students,” he continued.
As a result, the remaining 25% is divided among the remaining schools, giving them a minimal chance of enrolling any of their students in medical school.
The absence of school facilities that create a conducive environment for learning science and mathematics, according to the renowned professor, is to blame for this problem.
He emphasized the importance of providing scientific laboratories for schools with limited resources. Professor Addae Mensah emphasized the importance of improving school facilities.
Prof. Addae Mensah believes that instead of establishing STEM schools, as the government proposes, the government should focus its efforts on reproducing what makes a few schools succeed in low-performing schools.
Only 110 SHSs have produced medical students for UG and KNUST in 8 years – Addae Mensah
The academician also raised concern about education’s overall quality. He believes the Free SHS is producing quantity rather than quality and should be evaluated.
Quantity over quality, according to the Professor, is not the way to go.
He wants the government to work with all stakeholders to review the policy and make it more sustainable.
