About 800 plus students of the Royal Nursing College at Tafo Nhyiaeso in the Old Tafo Municipal in the Ashanti Region have been left stranded following the sudden closure of their institution by the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC). The closure, announced on Thursday, 19 February 2026, has left students and parents shocked and uncertain about the future of their studies.
According to reports, the affected students, who come from various parts of the country, were taken by surprise when GTEC ordered the school to cease operations immediately. Many gathered outside the school compound seeking clarification, expressing frustration over the lack of prior communication or guidance on how they could continue their nursing education. Parents also arrived to support their children and called on authorities to provide urgent solutions to prevent academic disruption.
GTEC explained that the closure followed concerns regarding compliance with regulatory standards for tertiary institutions. These standards include curriculum quality, staffing requirements, infrastructure adequacy, and student welfare. While school closures are rare, they are sometimes enforced to ensure that institutions meet national education requirements and maintain integrity in professional training programs.
Despite this, stakeholders have criticised the abrupt timing and lack of planning, arguing that students should not bear the consequences of administrative decisions. Many of the students had invested significant resources, including tuition, travel, and accommodation, and now face the challenge of securing alternatives to complete their training.
Local community leaders have urged calm and appealed to both GTEC and the government to provide a clear roadmap for resolving the situation. They emphasised that students’ education and future employment prospects must be protected and called for immediate steps to relocate affected students to accredited institutions or provide alternative pathways to complete their studies.
The Ashanti Regional Education Directorate has confirmed that it has received numerous complaints and is actively engaging with GTEC to clarify next steps. Discussions are reportedly underway to ensure that students can continue their training without further disruption, while measures are taken to address compliance concerns at the institution.
The sudden closure has sparked broader debates about student protection, oversight of private tertiary institutions, and the need for proactive communication when enforcement actions are taken. Advocates argue that while regulatory compliance is essential, the welfare and academic progress of students must remain a top priority.
As the situation develops, students remain in limbo, struggling to find temporary accommodation and financial support while awaiting official guidance. Parents and student representatives continue to demand transparency and assurances that their children’s education can resume promptly at approved institutions.
