The Minister-Designate for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has disclosed that approximately ₵345 million will be required to fully implement the government’s proposed free tuition policy for first-year tertiary students.
Speaking during his vetting by the Appointments Committee in Parliament on January 20, 2025, the Tamale South MP highlighted the policy’s potential to make tertiary education more accessible to a wider range of students across the country.
He explained that the allocated funds would cover tuition fees for students entering tertiary institutions, ensuring equal access to higher education for all.
Haruna Iddrisu further revealed that the government plans to directly channel the required funds to the affected universities.
He also noted that the initiative would include provisions to reimburse students who have already paid their tuition fees, ensuring fairness in the policy’s rollout.
“The country will require about ₵345 million for the students entering tertiary institutions; this is the amount the state will need to provide. We intend to provide this money to the affected universities, at least, to offer refunds to those who have already paid their fees,” he stated.
He emphasized that the new policy would provide flexibility for parents, allowing those willing to pay fees to do so under the framework introduced by the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
“The beauty of this policy is that parents who wish to pay can do so, under the framework introduced by the NDC,” he added.
This announcement follows the NDC’s pledge to implement the free tertiary tuition policy during their 2024 campaign, aimed at reducing the financial burden on students and their families while improving access to higher education.
The minister-designate assured that he would ensure the policy’s effective implementation.
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