Parliament has rejected a motion to suspend the payment of admission fees by tertiary students for the 2020/21 academic year.
Speaking in Parliament, the Education Minister-designate, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum said Vice-Chancellors across tertiary institutions do not consider the proposal, brought by Bawku Central MP, Mahama Ayariga as a matter of priority.
"I have spoken to a number of Vice-Chancellors who are telling me they don't know what is going on in this House.
"They are saying that on a scale of preference this not what they are going to ask us to do for them," he told the Speaker Alban Bagbin.
Mahama Ayariga had petitioned Speaker Alban Bagbin to request approval to move a motion for the suspension of the payment of admission fees for tertiary students in the 2020/21 academic year.
He said that it was worrying students were paying huge sums of money before they were allowed in school, considering the fact that the country is still trying to recover from a pandemic which has had adverse effects on the economic activities of citizens.
He believes many families are still struggling and cannot, therefore, afford the fees they are being asked to pay.
Speaking on Top Story, JoyNews' Kwaku Asante who had been in parliament said five persons from each side of the House were chosen to argue for or against the motion.
The Minority he said supported Mr Ayariga's motion.
North Tongu MP and former Deputy Minister for Education Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa said it was necessary for to leaders find ways to cushion citizens in difficult times and ensure their welfare is protected.
The Covid-19 pandemic, in his view, is a typical situation. He said it was essential for the country to assist in reducing the financial strain on students in the country.
According to him, 3 African countries and others like Canada and Germany have supported their schools with grants amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
Mr Ablakwa believes it is only fair for Ghana to same for its students in these tough times.
"The universal declaration of human rights, Mr Speaker, make education a right. The UN admonishes all governments to ensure that whatever barriers will get in the way of their nationals, they should do well to get those barriers out of the way," he said.
However, the motion did not have enough votes to be passed.
Dr Adutwum encouraged Mahama Ayariga who brought the motion to parliament to conduct a survey that establishes the need to suspend the payment of admission fees.
"Let me give an example, Mr Speaker a number of universities have opened. The students have registered and they are in place."
"If my colleague came to the House to say that the students hadn't shown up in school, it is a different argument," he added.
Dr Adutwum, who has on his own paid the fees of about 30 engineering students, said while he does not oppose the motion, Vice-Chancellors at the various universities do not see it as a necessity.
Latest Stories
-
We didn’t sneak out 10 BVDs; they were auctioned as obsolete equipment – EC
48 mins -
King Charles to resume public duties after progress in cancer treatment
1 hour -
Arda Guler scores on first start in La Liga as Madrid beat Real Sociedad
2 hours -
Fatawu Issahaku’s Leicester City secures Premier League promotion after Leeds defeat
2 hours -
Anticipation builds as Junior Speller hosts nationwide auditions
2 hours -
Etse Sikanku: The driver’s mate conundrum
3 hours -
IMF Deputy Chief worried large chunk of Eurobonds is used to service debt
3 hours -
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II celebrates 25 years of peaceful rule on golden stool
3 hours -
We have enough funds to pay accruing benefits; we’ve never missed pension payments since 1991 – SSNIT
4 hours -
Let’s embrace shared vision and propel National Banking College – First Deputy Governor
4 hours -
Liverpool agree compensation deal with Feyenoord for Slot
4 hours -
Ejisu by-election: There’s no evidence of NPP engaging in vote-buying – Ahiagbah
4 hours -
Ejisu by-election: Independent ex-NPP MP’s campaign team warns party against dubious tactics
5 hours -
ZEN Petroleum supports Tse-Addo Future Leaders School
6 hours -
NPP must win back Adentan seat in 2024 polls – Obeng Fosu
6 hours