Education Minister-designate Haruna Iddrisu has announced that the admission fees of first-year public tertiary students will be refunded.

This, he said, forms part of President John Mahama’s plan to make higher education more accessible.

Speaking during his vetting before Parliament’s Appointments Committee on Monday, the Tamale South MP revealed that the government will earmark GH¢345 million to cover admission fees for students enrolled in general subject areas at tertiary institutions, excluding professional programs like medicine.

Haruna Iddrisu

“On the authority of President Mahama, and with the approval of the Minister of Finance-designate, Hon. Ato Forson, this provision will be included in the government’s Reset Budget. The funds will ensure that students undertaking courses in the general subject areas have their admission fees refunded,” Haruna Iddrisu said.

He added, “And for President Mahama, this is a model to experiment. We will look at it. How do we fare as a country? If it’s possible for expansion, then he will expand it. And he’s not asked that if you are able, you should not.”

The policy is a fulfillment of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) manifesto promise during the 2024 election campaign.

It is part of a broader set of reforms aimed at making tertiary education more accessible, particularly for students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.Source: Kenneth Awotwe Darko