Mahama promises free education for first-year students

Summary

Ghana’s biggest opposition party, NDC has promised to implement a new education agenda if elected in December 2024, making the first year of university tuition-free for all students in public institutions. They also plan to revamp the Students Loan Trust Fund to provide financial assistance to students struggling to pay fees. Additionally, the party aims to address accommodation challenges by abolishing the current residential system that forces students to move off-campus after their first year. Instead, they will create a regulated scheme with the private sector to make hostel fees more affordable and accessible. The NDC also plans to empower artisans through a Step-Up Certification Policy and launch a national apprenticeship programme to support apprentices in starting their trade after completing their training.

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This policy will abolish the current residential system that forces students to move off-campus after their first year

The main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has promised a new education agenda, pledging to make the first year of university tuition-free for all students in public institutions if elected into power in the December 2024 elections.

This promise, along with several other key reforms, was unveiled at the party’s youth manifesto launch in Accra on Monday, 12 August 2024.

The NDC emphasised that the free tuition policy is designed to ease the financial burden on students and their families, ensuring that higher education is accessible to all, regardless of economic background.

The party also announced plans to revamp the “Students Loan Trust Fund,” which it described as “virtually dead.”

The revamped fund will provide financial assistance to students who struggle to pay fees after their first year, allowing them to continue their education without stress.

The party highlighted that this support would particularly benefit students with excellent grades, such as those achieving 7As, 6As, and 8As, who often face financial barriers despite their academic success.

In addition to tuition-free education, the NDC is promising a “Bed-for-All Policy” aimed at addressing the accommodation challenges faced by public university students.

This policy will abolish the current residential system that forces students to move off-campus after their first year popularly referred to as the “in-out-out-out policy.”

Instead, the NDC intends to partner with the private sector to create a regulated scheme that makes hostel fees more affordable and accessible for all students to ensure that students can afford to stay on campus throughout their university education.

Beyond university education, the NDC is also focused on empowering artisans across the country through a “Step-Up Certification Policy.”

This initiative will allow artisans such as seamstresses, hairdressers, carpenters, mechanics, and masons to attend technical universities, honing their skills and earning certifications in their respective fields.

The NDC further plans to launch a national apprenticeship programme, ensuring that every apprentice receives the necessary support to start their trade after completing their training.