The University Students Association of Ghana (USAG) is opposed to an increase in public university tuition fees for the 2022/2023 academic year.
“The recent astronomical hikes in school fees of public universities in the country, which will make access to education become increasingly difficult”, USAG said in a press release on Tuesday.
With only a few weeks until schools resume, USAG is concerned that students will be unable to appropriately prepare for the increases in both academic and residential fees due to the lack of ample notice.
Parliament has authorized a maximum 15% increase in university fees over the previous academic year.
Some institutions have announced school fee schedules for the next academic year with unusually large percentage increases, which USAG does not approve of.
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The association of university students believes the announcement by the institutions is an error.
“The procedure for approval of Public University fees is very clear, and this approval does not stop at Management or at University Councils. Our universities are supposed to send their proposed fees to Parliament through the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission and the Ministry of Finance. Subject to the passing of the recent Fees and Charges Act, 2022, the final approving authority is not the university management but Parliament.”
“Our biggest concern with this release is on how short the notice on the payment has come, and how difficult it will be for most of our students to continue their education”, the statement continued.
USAG has also expressed worry about funding from the Students Loan Trust Fund and the GETFund.
SOURCE: CITINEWS
