GIJ Reacts to Entrance Exams

Story: Matilda Attram

THE Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ) has stated that the re-introduction of an entrance examination by the institute as part of its admission requirements is necessitated by the low standard of the English Language of many students.
The Acting Rector, Mr Kweku Rockson, was speaking to the Daily Graphic in reaction to concerns raised by the public about the re-introduction of the entrance examination.
Some members of the public had argued that the entrance examinations was not necessary, since the University of Ghana, which the institute is affiliated to, did not conduct an entrance examination for prospective students, apart from mature students.
They also argued that the condition could be a burden for applicants, especially those who lived outside Accra after submission of application forms.
Mr Rockson said the institute had realised that the quality of writing had declined as compared to former years, which reflects in reports produced by students in assignments and examinations.
"As a foremost undergraduate communication training institute on the African continent, we believe the least we can do is to produce people who will have complete command over the official language of the country," he said.
According to him, the institute's mission required of it to produce for the media industry in Ghana and other parts of the continent.
He said it would be wrong on the institute's part to ignore concerns raised by the media about the writing abilities and the quality of language skills of some of the institute’s graduates.
"Lecturers who have taught in this institution for years have expressed concern about the qualitative decline of the standards of students," he added.
He also explained that applicants for both the degree and diploma programmes would be required to write the entrance examinations.
Mr Rockson told the Daily Graphic that the institute had also made provision for continuing students to improve upon their proficiency in English language, creative writing skills and presentation.
"Internally, to further boost the grade for writing, we have increased the number of contact hours for English, dividing the programme into Grammar and English usage, thus providing more opportunities for students to improve on their writing skills and presentation".
He concluded that admission requirements now included a minimum of credits at the West African Senior Secondary Examination (WASSE), an entrance examination and an interview.