A policy influencer at Africa Education Watch (Eduwatch), Kwasi Nimo Jnr, has called for a more targeted approach to providing financial support for needy tertiary students.
He suggests that, specific fee waivers should be directed at needy level 100 students identified through thorough research and assessments.
“When it comes to tertiary education, needy students need to be targeted. Some manage to attend senior high schools, but advancing to tertiary education becomes a challenge.
“We need to have a specific target on waiving fees for level 100 students. If thorough research is done to identify these needy students and their fees are paid, it will be a significant help,and it can go beyond the first year,” he stated.
His remarks follow a recent announcement by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama, who pledged that first-year tertiary students would not pay academic fees if his party is voted into power.
This initiative, according to Mahama, aims to reduce the financial burden on parents.
However, Speaking on Adom FM’s morning show, Dwaso Nsem on Tuesday, Mr Nimo raised concerns about the sustainability of such a policy, questioning how students would fund the remaining years of their education.
He further recommended strengthening the Ghana Student Loan Trust Fund and addressing its current challenges to make it more accessible to students,
“The question now is, how will these students fund the remaining years of their education? What is the plan for progression and completion? Our recommendation is to strengthen the Student Loan Trust Fund and address the challenges it faces to make it more accessible to students,” he stated.