Mr Haruna Iddrisu, the Minister-Designate for Education, has revealed that approximately GH¢345 million will be required to fully implement the government’s proposed free tuition policy for tertiary institutions.
This policy aims to make tertiary education more accessible to a large number of students nationwide.
Appearing before the Appointments Committee of Parliament to be vetted on Monday, Mr Iddrisu emphasised the importance of equitable access to higher education.
He said: “… Mr Chairman, the country will require about GH¢345 million of the population of students who enter tertiary institutions that is what the state will be required to do. We intend to provide that money to the affected universities, at least, to make refunds to those who have already paid fees.”
The government plans to channel the required funds directly to the affected universities, ensuring that students who have already paid their tuition fees are reimbursed.
This provision aims to safeguard fairness in the policy’s implementation.
Mr Iddrisu, also the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament for Tamale South highlighted the flexibility of the new policy, which allowed parents willing to pay fees to do so under the framework introduced by the NDC.
“… Mr Chairman, the beauty of this is that parents who are willing to pay can do so under this policy that has been introduced by the NDC,” he stated.
The announcement comes after the NDC pledged to implement the free tertiary tuition policy during the Party’s 2024 campaign.
The policy aims to ease the financial burden on students and their families while promoting greater access to higher education.
Mr Iddrisu has pledged to follow the policy through and ensure its effective implementation.
