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The University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) has been informed by NDC Flagbearer John Dramani Mahama that the party’s “no fee stress” policy will not affect university subventions and domestically produced income.
Mahama promised to establish a “no fees stress” program, which would exclude first-year university students from paying academic fees, during the NDC’s manifesto unveiling on August 12.
“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.”
The University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG), however, had reservations about the policy’s execution and recommended that it be directed toward students in need.
“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 types of policies.”
Addressing concerns from the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG), 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 made it clear that a rebalanced budget will be used to support the initiative, which will be managed by the Student Loan Trust.
“First-level 100 students will receive a grant to cover their academic fees from the Student Loan Trust, which will receive funding from the government.”
“Let me state again, it will not affect the subventions, the internally generated funds of the university,” Mahama said, restating his promise to UTAG.
Source: Ghanatodayonline.com
