Education Minister-designate and Member of Parliament For Tamale South Haruna Iddrisu has announced that first year university students who have already paid their fees will get a refund.
The Tamale South MP revealed this during his vetting before the Appointments Committee of Parliament as universities have already commenced admission process while the proposed policy is yet to take off.
The Minister-designate revealed that the government has earmarked GH¢345 million to cover admission fees for students enrolled in general subject areas, excluding professional programs like medicine.
“On the authority of President Mahama, and with the approval of the Minister of Finance-designate, Ato Forson, this provision will be included in the government’s Reset Budget.
The funds will ensure that students undertaking courses in the general subject areas have their admission fees refunded,” he announced.
The former Minority Leader noted that the Mahama-led administration will consider a possible expansion of the policy.
“And for President Mahama, this is a model to experiment. We will look at it. How do we fare as a country? If it’s possible for expansion, then he will expand it.
And he’s not asked that if you are able, you should not,” he assured.
President Mahama, at the launch of the Youth Manifesto ahead of the 2024 election, promised to provide tuition-free education for first-year students in public universities.
He explained that the policy aims to increase access to higher education, particularly for students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
A section of Ghanaians has since questioned the sustainability of the policy, while demanding the source of funding.
However, the NDC has argued it has conducted all the necessary research and analysis to facilitate the smooth implementation of the programme.
Ministerial Vetting: First-year students to receive refunds for fees paid under Free Level 100 Policy – Haruna Iddrisu #JoyNews pic.twitter.com/ljmcHLBYdp
— JoyNews (@JoyNewsOnTV) January 20, 2025
