No Admission Fee Policy: Teacher and Nursing Trainees Fall in Net- NDC

New entrants into public Colleges of Education and Nursing Training Colleges across the country fall into the bracket of students who will not have to pay academic fees when they get admitted.

A day after the New Patriotic Party (NPP) launched their manifesto for the 2024 General Elections, the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has laid its card, throwing some light on the proposed policy which was announced last week.

This policy is estimated to cost between GHS275 million and GHS290 million annually.

In a Facebook post the General Secretary, Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, indicated that their promise to make admission for first year tertiary students stands and covers university, college of education, nursing training college, or technical university.

He called the proposal a “transformative breakthrough”, stating that the numerous Ghanaian high school students who are chaleneged with fee payment will no longer have to worry.

“…Secondary school graduates who have passed their WASSCE and are qualified but lack the financial means to pursue higher education. And even when they manage to gain admission, they painfully forfeit or lose it due to their inability to pay academic fees. John Mahama’s vision is to remove this barrier, ensuring that no deserving student is denied tertiary entry due to financial constraints.”

For continuing students, the party said the Student Loan Trust Fund Plus (SLTF) will be expanded to enable them access funds.

“For those concerned about the financial journey beyond the first year, we have plans to rejuvenate and expand the Student Loan Trust Fund Plus (SLTF). This initiative will ensure that every continuing student has seamless access to the financial resources they need to continue their education without interruption.

Funding
The NDC intends to cut down government expenditure to sponsor this policy when elected.

“The policy…will be financed by cutting down on wasteful, profligate government expenditures, particularly those of the Office of Government Machinery. By redirecting these funds, H.E John Mahama will prioritize the future of Ghana’s youth, ensuring they have the opportunity to study and succeed.”