News:
August 1, 2011
The Chairman of the Finance Committee of Parliament James Klutse Avedzi has proposed that government goes for a loan facility at a very low interest rate for the Student Loan Trust Fund, to enable the Fund manage and provide loans to tertiary students across the country.
According to him the students would in turn be expected to pay back the monies collected with interest to sustain the Fund which is currently facing some monetary difficulties.
He noted that after establishing the Fund, there haven’t been adequate resources allocated to the Fund and it is important that a concessionary facility for the fund is secured so that the students can be assisted financially.
His proposal comes on the heels of a recent agitation and demonstration of students of the University of Ghana, who took to the streets of Accra last week in protest against the arbitrary increase in the fees of students of the university for the next academic year.
The University of Ghana recently adjusted user fees upwards to over 45 per cent for the next academic year, and this, the students say, is unjustified and extremely exorbitant, and is demanding an immediate reduction.
Speaking over the weekend on Joy FM’s News File programme, Hon. James Avedzi who is also a Member of Parliament for Ketu North, expressed confidence that if a concessionary facility is introduced for the students who are not financially sound, they would not be too much bothered about the level of fees they are to pay as they visibly appear to be now.
He noted that university education is increasingly becoming very expensive and is necessary that students are made to appreciate the fact that they must be prepared to pay for the cost of their living on the various campuses.
He urged the leadership of the University to engage the students on a regular to determine the fees they are to pay.
Story by : Kwadwo Anim/ghanamps.gov.gh