The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has released a clarification to address growing inaccuracies and public misconceptions regarding the regulation and approval of distance learning centres run by public universities in Ghana.
GTEC has firmly refuted claims that it has declared distance learning programmes run by leading public universities as unapproved or invalid.
The Commission has also denied suggestions that the University of Education, Winneba (UEW), University of Cape Coast (UCC), University for Development Studies (UDS), and the University of Ghana (UG) have been blacklisted or barred from offering distance education.
“Contrary to misinformation being shared, GTEC has not declared the distance learning programmes of UEW, UCC, UDS, or UG as ‘unapproved places to pursue tertiary education’,” the statement clarified.
The Commission emphasised that these institutions remain fully accredited and approved, noting that their distance learning programmes are acceptable where they are properly structured, resourced, and approved.
GTEC clarified that accreditation is “campus-specific and location-dependent”, indicating that each study centre must undergo separate assessment and approval.
According to the Commission, each centre must meet stringent requirements, including adequate infrastructure, qualified teaching staff, library and ICT facilities, and effective learner support systems.
GTEC raised concerns about the increasing use of non-traditional and informal spaces for distance learning activities without regulatory approval. It mentioned that secondary schools, corporate training centres, churches, and other makeshift venues are being used to host tertiary-level academic programmes, but such facilities often fall short of the required standards for higher education delivery.
The Commission explained that such venues are not authorised to operate as distance learning centres unless they have undergone formal evaluation and received approval from GTEC.
It further stressed that such programmes must meet strict quality assurance requirements, including the provision of suitable physical and digital infrastructure, qualified academic personnel, robust student support systems, and formal approval of each study centre by the regulator.
GTEC urged institutions to take steps to regularise all distance learning operations by submitting their centres for inspection and accreditation.
The Commission warned prospective students and the general public to exercise caution when selecting distance learning centres.
“Prospective students and the general public are advised to verify the approval status of any distance learning centre directly with GTEC or the relevant university’s distance education directorate. They are further advised not to rely on unverified claims or social media summaries,” the statement concluded.