The Ombudsman Commission received a complaint from a head of clergy and principal of a mission-run teachers college against a certain government department. The complaint was in relation to the alleged abuse of powers by the authority of the concerned government department.
It was alleged that the concerned government department had issued instructions through a Circular to cancel the issuance of Diploma and Teacher Provisional Registration Certificates for college graduates. As a result of the Circular, sparse college graduates did not receive their diplomas and were not allowed to be registered with the Teaching Commission.
The decision by the responsible government department has affected over one hundred and fifty (150) graduates from Teachers’ College in recent years and hundreds of others who have passed through other recognized teacher colleges across the country.
The Ombudsman commenced an investigation into the matter to ascertain whether due processes and procedures were adhered to when the Circular to cancel the Diplomas and Teacher Provisional Registration Certificates was issued by the concerned government department.
Accordingly, the authority of the concerned government department advised the Commission that the decision made was contrary to requirements per legislation to uphold in practice the principle of partnership of all education agencies. That the action to withhold the diplomas and registration of the college graduates using the year twelve (12) grade point average was an abuse of authority.
Furthermore, the college graduates yet to receive their awards are those who did not meet the entry requirements. The concerned government department is withholding their awards and were therefore advised through their respective institutions to have their marks upgraded through the Flexible Distance Open Distance Education.
As a result of the Commission’s intervention, the college graduates for the years 2019, 2020 and 2021 received their Diplomas and Provisional Registration Certificates after approval was granted by the authority of the responsible government department.