Mr. Haruna Iddrisu, Minister of Education, has called on Colleges of Education to support the ‘No Fee Stress’ policy to broaden access to tertiary education.
The policy, introduced by the current administration, eliminates academic user fees for first-year students in public tertiary institutions. Over 120,000 students have benefited in its first year of implementation.
Speaking at the inauguration of governing councils for 10 Colleges of Education in Accra, Mr Iddrisu described the initiative as “one of the most impactful” under President Mahama’s leadership.
“I’m happy to say that since I became minister, it’s one of the most impactful interventions of President Mahama, the No Fee Stress, and I think that all of us must work to sustain it,” he said.
“It does tell us as a country that there are parents who are struggling and there are students who are struggling and do not have the financial muscle in order that they can support themselves to have access to higher education,” the Minister added.
The colleges whose councils were inaugurated include Akatsi, Dambai, St Francis, Foso, Our Lady of Apostles, Holy Child, Kibi, Presbyterian Women’s, Seventh Day Adventist, and St Louis Colleges of Education.
Mr. Iddrisu reaffirmed government’s commitment to strengthening teacher education through infrastructure and staff development.
He announced that stalled hostel projects would be reactivated at a cost of GH¢410 million, with an additional GH¢200 million allocated for faculty development, staff support, and student feeding.
Additionally, Book and Research allowances had increased from GH¢31 million to GH¢101 million, while overall tertiary education funding rose from GH¢428 million to GH¢712 million.
The Minister also confirmed that faculty and staff of all 46 colleges had been migrated to university status, with arrears from the enhanced remuneration scheme settled.
He acknowledged that while these investments reflect the government’s commitment, they also imposed budgetary constraints that limit new staff recruitment.
“So, I want you to appreciate that government is doing its best for you, in order that you will be motivated to give up your best in the training of our young people,” he said.
Mr. Iddrisu outlined a long-term vision to empower public colleges as autonomous university institutions.
“I do not see why someone should travel from Pusiga to Legon to study Psychology when, with the right support, Gbewaa College could offer such a programme,” he said.
He urged the colleges to pursue affiliate partnerships with universities to diversify their academic offerings beyond teacher education.