Government seeks ₵345m to implement free tertiary tuition policy – Says Haruna Iddrisu

The Minister-Designate for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has disclosed that around ₵345 million will be required to fully implement the government’s proposed free tuition policy for first-year tertiary students.

During his vetting by the Appointments Committee in Parliament on Monday, January 20, 2025, the Tamale South MP highlighted the policy’s potential to increase access to tertiary education for a significant number of students across the country.

He noted that the allocated funds would cover tuition fees for students entering tertiary institutions, ensuring equitable access to higher education.

Haruna Iddrisu further explained that the government plans to channel the required funds directly to the affected universities.

He added that the initiative would include provisions for reimbursing students who have already paid their tuition fees, safeguarding fairness in the policy’s implementation.

“The country will require about ₵345 million for the population of students who enter tertiary institutions, that is what the state will be required to do. We intend to provide that money to the affected universities, at least, to make refunds to those who have already paid fees,” he stated.

He further emphasised that the new policy will offer flexibility to parents, allowing those who are willing to pay fees to do so under the framework introduced by the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

“The beauty of this is that parents who are willing to pay can do so under this policy that has been introduced by the NDC,” he stated.

The announcement comes after the NDC pledged to implement the free tertiary tuition policy during their 2024 campaign, aiming to ease the financial burden on students and their families while promoting greater access to higher education.

The minister-designate in his submission pledged to follow the policy through and ensure its effective implementation.