NDC Flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama, has reassured the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) that the party’s “no fee stress” policy will not impact university subventions and internally generated funds.
At the NDC’s manifesto launch on August 12, Mahama pledged to implement a “no fees stress” program, exempting first-year tertiary students from paying academic fees.
“We will implement a no-fees stress program to alleviate the financial burden on parents and students in financing tertiary education,” Mahama said. “We will implement a no academic fees policy at the university for level 100 students.”
However, the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) expressed concerns about the policy’s implementation, suggesting that it should be targeted towards needy students. “For us, we believe that this policy should be targeted for equity… It should be targeted because that is the only way to create equity when it comes to these type of policies.”
Addressing concerns from the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG), Mr. Mahama assured that the policy won’t impact university subventions and internally generated funds. “It’s not going to affect the subvention of universities… We’re going to increase the subvention to tertiary institutions.”
He emphasized the policy’s aim to boost university enrollment by removing financial barriers. “There are many cases of students who are unable to take up their offers in tertiary education because they simply cannot afford to pay their academic fees.”
Mahama clarified that the policy will be administered by the Student Loan Trust and funded through a rebalanced budget. “Government will budget for it and give it to the student loan trust to give to first level 100 students as a grant to pay their academic fees.”
Reiterating his assurance to UTAG, Mahama stated, “Let me state again, it will not affect the subventions, the internally generated funds of the university.”
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/Sena Afi Senanu