GTEC Clarifies Status of Distance Learning Centres Amid Public Misconceptions

The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has issued a clarification to address what it describes as widespread misinformation regarding the regulation and approval of distance learning centres operated by public universities in Ghana.

The statement follows recent public debate sparked by earlier regulatory communication from the Commission concerning the operation of such centres nationwide.

GTEC firmly denied claims that it has declared distance learning programmes run by major public universities as unapproved or invalid. It specifically refuted 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 Commission stated.

The regulator emphasised that these institutions remain fully accredited and recognised, adding that their distance learning programmes are valid where they are properly structured, resourced, and formally approved.

However, GTEC clarified that accreditation in higher education is not automatically extended to all satellite or study centres affiliated with a university. It explained that approval is campus-specific and location-dependent, meaning each centre must undergo separate assessment and accreditation.

According to the Commission, every distance learning centre must meet strict requirements, including adequate infrastructure, qualified academic staff, functional library and ICT facilities, and effective student support systems.

GTEC warned that any centre operating without explicit approval, even if linked to a recognised university, is not authorised to deliver tertiary academic programmes.

The Commission also raised concerns about the growing use of informal venues such as secondary schools, churches, and corporate training centres as makeshift locations for distance learning without regulatory approval. It stressed that such facilities are not permitted unless they have been formally assessed and approved.

Despite these concerns, GTEC reaffirmed its support for distance learning as a key strategy for expanding access to higher education in Ghana, provided quality assurance standards are strictly met.

Institutions have been urged to regularise all their distance learning operations by submitting centres for inspection and accreditation, while prospective students have been advised to verify the approval status of any study centre directly with GTEC or the relevant university before enrolling.

The Commission further cautioned the public against relying on unverified social media reports, warning that misinformation could lead students to enrol in unapproved or substandard institutions.