KNUST to begin 2026/2027 lectures on October 19 after GTEC directive
The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has announced revised reopening dates for the 2026/2027 academic year following a directive from the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) requiring public universities to resume academic activities by October 19.
Under the revised schedule, fresh students are expected to report on Thursday, October 15, while continuing students are to arrive on Saturday, October 17. Lectures are scheduled to begin on Monday, October 19, 2026.
The announcement follows an emergency Executive Committee meeting held on Wednesday, October 14, to review the university’s reopening arrangements.
In a notice to students, parents, guardians and other stakeholders, the University outlined the revised dates and urged all concerned to take note of the changes.
“Following an Emergency Executive Committee Meeting held on Wednesday, 14th October, 2026, the University wishes to inform all students, parents/guardians and other stakeholders that the arrangements for the re-opening of the 2026/2027 Academic year are as follows,” the notice stated.
The University also encouraged students and their families to make the necessary preparations ahead of the resumption of academic activities.
KNUST’s revised schedule follows a directive issued by GTEC on October 13, requiring all public universities to reopen their campuses for the 2026/2027 academic year by Friday, October 16, irrespective of earlier decisions to postpone reopening.
The Commission also directed that lectures commence on Monday, October 19, while university managements were instructed to ensure that halls of residence, academic libraries, departmental registration desks and other essential student support facilities were operational by Thursday, October 15.
Vice-Chancellors were further required to submit reports detailing their institutions’ readiness to resume academic activities.
The directive was issued under the authority of the Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, following engagements with university administrators and relevant stakeholders over disruptions caused by industrial action.
GTEC is Ghana’s statutory regulator for tertiary education. It was established under the Education Regulatory Bodies Act, 2020 (Act 1023), following the merger of the National Council for Tertiary Education and the National Accreditation Board.
The Commission’s mandate includes regulating tertiary education, coordinating the development of the sector, overseeing accreditation and promoting quality standards across public and private tertiary institutions.
Its responsibilities also include monitoring institutions’ compliance with approved regulations and national standards, advising the Education Minister on tertiary education policy and supporting the effective administration of universities.
The current directive reflects the Commission’s regulatory and coordinating role as the government seeks to restore academic activities across public universities after weeks of disruption.
The reopening directive comes amid an ongoing strike by the Ghana Association of University Administrators (GAUA) and the Technical University Senior Administrators Association of Ghana (TUSAAG).
GAUA declared a nationwide strike on August 7, citing concerns over salaries, allowances and conditions of service, including disparities between university administrators and teaching staff.
The industrial action has disrupted administrative services at public universities, contributing to the postponement of the 2026/2027 academic year reopening at KNUST and the University of Ghana.
On October 12, Mr. Iddrisu met representatives of the unions and GTEC as the government sought to resolve the dispute and facilitate a return to normal academic activities.
The following day, the Minister said he would direct GTEC to request that public universities reopen by October 19, expressing concern that further delays could affect students and the academic calendar.
GTEC subsequently issued its directive, acknowledging the challenges posed by the industrial action but warning that prolonged suspension of academic activities could affect students’ academic progression, university operations, tertiary education delivery and international academic partnerships.
The Commission also requested GAUA members to resume administrative duties while negotiations with the government continue.
Following the directive, KNUST has set Thursday, October 15, for fresh students to report to campus and Saturday, October 17, for continuing students.
Lectures are expected to begin on Monday, October 19, in line with the deadline communicated by GTEC.
The University expressed appreciation to students, parents, guardians and other stakeholders for their patience and cooperation during the changes.
“The University appreciates the understanding, patience and cooperation of all stakeholders,” the notice stated.
The revised dates come as authorities continue efforts to resolve the outstanding labour issues and restore normal academic and administrative operations across public universities.
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