The Ministry of Education has announced that it will sanction universities that charge more than the authorised 15% fee increment for public universities and tertiary institutions.
Speaking to the media, the Public Relations Officer for the Ministry, Kwasi Kwarteng, warned institutions that are culpable to desist from such actions.
He added that “I am saying that whenever we have an official complaint as a ministry that any university has charged more than what Parliament approves, of course you don’t need Kwesi Kwarteng to confirm this because the law is clear. The legal framework and provision upon which the Appropriation and subsequent approval of fees is done if you go beyond, that’s completely illegality.
“The necessary action ought to be taken and of course, we will take the necessary action within the framework of the law. The Universities are expected to comply so far as GTEC and the Ministry are concerned, it is the 15 percent increment fees of last year that the Universities are supposed to charge. And so far we are aware that is what they are charging, but there are institutions that might flout the GTEC directives”.
The ministry’s comment comes after speculation that the management of some universities are flouting a law passed by parliament.
Parliament recently endorsed a maximum 15% increase in fee over the preceding academic year in university fees under the Fees and Charges (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2022 (Act 1080).
In connection with the passage, the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) in a statement dated December 16, 2022 said “Please be advised therefore that Fees and Charges applicable in all Public Tertiary Education Institutions for the 2022/2023 Academic Year may be adjusted by up to maximum of 15% of the last approved rates”.
However, the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) has alleged that certain public universities are imposing over 15 percent increase on students for the 2022–2023 academic year on students.
Speaking to the media on Wednesday, December 28, the NUGS President Dennis Appiah Larbi-Ampofo said students were dissatisfied with these increases and called on the government to intervene.
He contended that increasing tuition at the moment isn’t the best the government can do considering the country’s current economic hardship.
“The University of Ghana has increased its academic user fees for some departments by over 40%. To make matters worse, they have increased residential facility user fee to about 70% and in some situations 100%.
“UCC is also deeply involved, with some increments crossing 25%. As we speak, UCC Faculty of Social Science has increased its fees at a rate of 27%. University of Mines and Technology is also doing the same with an increment as high as 40%,” he added.
On the other hand, the Tertiary Education Institutions Network (TEIN) of the NDC also petitioned the managed universities to review their decision to increase tuition.
In a press release dated December 22, president of TEIN KNUST, Selma Yoda said “In this case, students of various public universities risk a denial of their basic right to education as a result of the 15% approved increase by parliament”.
Source: The Independent Ghana