One hundred and twenty students of the Tamale Polytechnic have been rusticated for indulging in examination malpractices.
The action was taken by the authorities of the institution following recommendations made by its examination malpractices committee after investigating the case against the students.
According to the Assistant Registrar of the Tamale Polytechnic in-charge of Public Relations, Mr Wumbei Abdulai, the affected students were caught cheating during the last semester examination.
Their modus operandi included copying, sneaking of foreign materials into examination halls and impersonation.
The committee has also served warning letters to students whose conduct bothered on “minimal academic misbehaviour”
Such students have, therefore, been advised to either reform their behaviour or would also be sacked.
Names of the dismissed students are to be published in the media to serve as deterrent to others.
Mr Abdulai explained that the disciplinary action was in conformity with the National Board for Professional and Technician Examinations (NAPTEX) rules and regulations and that the rusticated students had the opportunity to continue their studies with the institute after two years.
He said the disciplinary action was also part of measures instituted by the polytechnic to weed out indisciplined students from the system in an effort to rebrand the image of the polytechnic.
Mr Abdulai advised students to desist from the habits of cheating and rather commit themselves to serious studies to become resourceful not only to themselves but their communities and the nation in future.
On the way forward for the polytechnic, Mr Abdulai said that plans were advanced to introduce new courses such as Media and Mass Communications and that “the polytechnic is also collaborating with some foreign institutions to build the capacities of our lecturers, provide us with the needed facilities and equipment to enable us offer our best.”