Journal of Emerging Trends in Educational Research and Policy Studies: Home

Abstract:
Since the beginning of the 21st century, many important developments have taken place in education at all levels throughout the world. Many developing countries, especially Sub-Saharan Africa, have achieved rapid progress towards free, compulsory primary education. The adult literacy rate in many countries increased from 76% to 84% between 1985 - 1994 and 2000 - 2006 (UNESCO, 2009). In Ghana, demand for tertiary education and the projected need for highly skilled human resources led to reforms in tertiary education and a significant expansion in student enrolment, private participation and improved access to tertiary education through distance education. At the same time, the changes in tertiary education, especially the rapid increase in student enrolment and the expansion in the number of public and private institutions have brought many challenges that need to be addressed. This paper examines the benefits of tertiary education and the reasons for the growing demand for tertiary education in Ghana. It further examines the issue of gender participation and mainstreaming in tertiary education and the implications of increasing demand and expansion in tertiary education for poverty reduction and socio-economic development of the country. Recommendations for addressing the challenges in tertiary education have been outlined.

Keywords: Increasing, Demand, High Education, Ghana, Participation

Download full paper