NDC’s Free Tertiary Education for L100 Students in 2025 Will Work? and How much will it cost to fund Free Tertiary Education for L100 Sstudents in 2025?
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has stated in its Youth Manifesto that it will pay the first-semester tuition fees of all level 100 students admitted into tertiary institutions come January 2025.
This policy promised at the launch of the party’s youth manifesto at the Bukom Arena has brought about intense debates on the possibility of providing such a social intervention for Ghanaian students should the NDC win the political party in the 2024 general election.
While some have questions about the possibility, others have argued that the NDC does not have what it takes to implement such a policy. This policy was first made public before the 2020 general elections.
One prominent personality in the education sector, Mr. Kofi Asare of the Education Think Tank, has reacted to the manifesto intentions of the NDC led by John Dramani Mahama through a post on his official Facebook page.
He disclosed that, in the 2022-2023 academic year, some 125,000 level 100 students were admitted into public tertiary institutions and that, on average, freshmen pay GHS2200 for tuition. The NDC’s manifesto policy will amount to 10% of the cost incurred by the ruling government on Free SHS. “In 2022/23, 125k students were admitted into L 100 in public tertiary institutions. An average freshman academic fee of GHC 2,200 will require at least
GHC 275m a year, equivalent to 10% of the free SHS budget.” He stated.
His post, which implied that the policy could be implemented, did not go down well with supporters of the ruling NPP, who took to his Facebook page to leave demeaning comments about the comment he posted on the NDC’s manifesto promise.
Some commentators, like Dziafa Innocent,could not understand why NPP faithfuls thought the NDC’s youth manifesto policy was not possible when the NPP was preaching “IS IT POSSIBLE” in its campaign. “Those shouting “IT IS POSSIBLE” are the ones saying this is impossible,” Dziafa Innocent commented.
Dr. Prince Hamid Armah, Deputy Minister & M and Former Director-General at NaCCA, also reacted to the post by Kofi Asare and stated that students will stop school after semester one if they cannot pay the nest fees. “Bro, after 1st year, those who can’t afford will drop out? Secondly, I thought you’re a chief advocate for means testing.” He stated.
Mr. Kofi Asare, in responding to the comment by the MP, stated, “Chairman, I relate to the former and concur with the latter, even though I disagree on targeting free SHS.” Thus, he supports the policy.
Michael Asareku, reacting to the position of Dr. Prince Hamid Armah, was of the view that the NDC’s policy was a good one.
Dr. Prince Hamid Armah MP, have you averted your mind to those after free SHS completion?”What happens to them after completion? They can’t afford tertiary fees, especially first-year fees.This is a government policy to reduce the pressure always mounting on parents to pay all fees instantly for the first year or level 100 students before gaining admission.At least it will offer the parents the opportunity of space to plan for the next level 200 fees. Michael Asareku quizzed Dr. Prince Hamid Armah
Dr. Prince Hamid Armah MP The question that precedes your question is, after free SHS, what next?
However, the answer to your question would be, after 1st year, the student would have access to the student loan, which must only be better managed and enhanced.
Others are of the view that the enrolment could quadruple, just like teacher and nurse training allowances, which will create problems.
·
Leave a Reply