Royal Nursing College shut down, over 600 students left in limbo
The fate of about 600 students hangs in the balance following the closure of the Royal Nursing College at Tafo Nyhiaeso in the Ashanti Region by the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC).
The action was taken after management of the institute failed to provide the required documentation to confirm the institution’s accreditation status.
GTEC had, in June 2024, directed the institute to halt the admission of new students and to teach out those already admitted.
However, a visit to the school revealed that as of January this year, fresh students had been admitted.
When GTEC announced the closure with immediate effect, many visibly shocked students broke down in tears as colleagues attempted to console them.
Ordinarily, the institute was not supposed to have Level 100 and Level 200 students. Currently, however, it has 272 Level 100 students and 320 Level 200 students.
GTEC stated that the college had not only flouted its directives but also lacked accreditation from the Nursing and Midwifery Council.
The institute, which runs Diploma in Registered General Nursing programmes, has a total enrolment of 802 students.
With the closure affecting the Level 100 and 200 students, the remaining 210 students are expected to continue their studies under the guidance of the affiliated university, the University of Cape Coast (UCC).
GTEC explained that the shutdown was necessary to protect students and uphold educational regulations.
It further explained that since the institution was not accredited by GTEC and was unrecognised by the Nursing and Midwifery Council, students risked completing their programmes without valid certification.
"There certificates will be fake and will note recognised by any institution," GTEC added.
Officials of GTEC were accompanied by three Criminal Investigation Department (CID) officers from the Ashanti Regional Police Command to conduct an inspection of the campus.
The inspection revealed a lack of proper documentation and inadequate lecture rooms.
At the time of the visit, Level 100 students were attending lectures in a packed auditorium without tables and proper chairs.
Their situation was compounded by a power outage, forcing students to use their books as improvised fans.
After the inspection, the wife of the owner of the school and some management members were picked up by CID officers.
Officials indicated that they would push for the prosecution of the owner, Ken Owusu.
