Level 100 entrants at the various technical universities will not benefit from the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC’s) proposal to absorb academic user fees for students in level 100 if the party gets to form the next government.
According to National Youth Organizer of the NDC, George Opare-Addo, the policy is targeted at level 100 entrants of “public universities. The technical universities are not part”.
He, however, indicated that the policy could be extended to the technical universities in the course of its implementation.
“Going forward, depending on how it rolls out, I believe along the line, they will all be brought on-board. But for now, we are looking at the public universities”.
The NDC led by its presidential candidate John Dramani Mahama yesterday held a series of public events in commemoration of this year’s International Youth Day.
The party first held the youth manifesto launch at which, it announced a number of policy ideas it intends to implement improve the welfare of young people if it is given the nod.
Among these policy proposals is the intention to implement a “No-Fees-Stress Programme to alleviate the financial burden on parents and students in financing tertiary education”.
Under this programme, the party intends to absorb academic user fees for level 100 students in public universities.
Explaining the rational behind the proposal in an interview on Joy FM in Accra, George Opare-Addo noted that most university freshers and their parents face the challenge of paying admission fees.
He said since such students are not eligible to access the student loan, it is important that the burden of paying entrance fees is eased to enable particularly underprivileged students enrol.