Free tertiary education for PWDs commendable

The country’s educational system has recorded another success story with the expansion of access to persons with disability (PWDs). 

This is under the Free Tertiary Education for PWDs, launched by President John Mahama at the end of last month.

This initiative follows laudable ones, including the Free Compulsory Universal Basic Education (FCUBE) policy that was introduced in the 1990s and the free senior high school initiative in 2017.

The coming on board of the free tertiary education for PWDs initiative fulfils a campaign pledge by the President and aims to remove financial barriers, ensuring equal access to higher education for all individuals, regardless of their background or circumstances.

Indeed, it was part of the government’s commitment to enhance inclusive access to higher education.

This is achieved by providing financial support to PWDs throughout their studies via the revamped and digitised Students Loan Trust Fund (SLTF).

Per the 2021 Population and Housing Census, less than two per cent of persons with disabilities aged 18 and above have completed tertiary education.

This is compared to about 10 per cent of the general population. 

However, it indicated that nearly eight per cent of the population live with some form of disability, with a small proportion having access to tertiary education.

Such statistics thus reveal the inequality that exists despite the efforts made over the years to address it.

The move by the government has been praised by many organisations due to the benefits that the country will gain from free education for PWDs.

They see it as promoting not only equity but also social justice. 

The government deserves commendation for the bold initiative. PWDs have not only struggled to gain access to higher education but also had to contend with broader life issues.

By taking this step, the government’s action falls in line with the Sustainable Development Goal 4, which aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

This goal supports reducing disparities and inequities in education, both in access and quality.

The Daily Graphic is excited by the SLTF's announcement that tertiary institutions should not demand money from PWDs before admitting them.

This is welcome news and a clear demonstration of the government’s determination to see to the smooth implementation of the policy. 

The paper would also urge the institution to abide by the directive and to communicate any issues or challenges encountered during implementation to the Ministry of Education for resolution.

Like every new programme, there may be some teething challenges, but we hope that when they come up, they will be addressed through the collective support of all stakeholders.

We must all work to ensure the success of this initiative, which would go a long way to expand access to tertiary education in the country.

Furthermore, a critical aspect of the free tertiary education for PWDs that must be addressed is sustainable funding.

Funding has been a problem with the introduction of new programmes.

The free SHS had its own funding challenge.

It is in view of this that the Daily Graphic would like to call for sustained funding for the policy.

We thus need a dedicated budget for the programme to ensure sustainability.

This initiative must not be allowed to struggle; it must be given the support it needs to survive the test of time.