Government's new policies on tertiary education

On 14th June, 2019, a National forum was held at the University of Ghana, faculty of Law department, on the new Tertiary Policy Reforms that the government has set for all tertiary institutions. A lot of tertiary institutions such as the University of Cape Coast (UCC), Wa polytechnic, University of Mines and Technology (UMAT), the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS), among others.

According to Professor Mohammed Salifu, the Executive Secretary of National Council For  Tertiary Education (NCTE), the main purpose for organizing the forum was to provide sensitization and awareness of the  tertiary education policy, and also to provide a rational  for the draft public university bill.

He stated that the government's budget for  tertiary education will be at least 2.5 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Prior to that, there will be free tuition fees for all Ghanian students(fee-paying students excluded). Also, the cost of tertiary education will be shared between all public universities together with the private universities.
Foreign students, however, will pay the full cost of tertiary education fees.

With regards to Academic Facility User fees, Ghanaian students will pay it themselves and those who leave in Halls of Residence would bear the cost of utilities that they will consume.

The Minister of Education, Mathew Opoku prempeh declared that  the new tertiary policy reform will help to create equality in education at all tertiary institutions.

In his speech, he stated that the government wants to create one application platform form for all undergraduate students to enable the poor also have access to tertiary education.

He cautioned public Universities to stop using the internally Generated fund since it is part of public money. They must first demand approval before it is used.

He concluded that the New Tertiary Education policy reforms will not alter the contents of the normal tertiary education that we observe in Ghana but rather, will improve it.

 By: Ebenezer Baidoo