He explained that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) would be consulted to review the memorandum that capped the Fund to ensure that the GHS 3.2 billion accrued from it increase to GHS 7.9 billion when uncapped.
Mr Haruna Iddrisu, also the Member of Parliament for Tamale South, made this known when he appeared before the Appointments Committee of Parliament in Accra on Monday for vetting.
Commenting on the NDC’s Manifesto pledge to implement free tuition fees for first-year tertiary students, Mr Iddrisu said government would make available GHS 345 million to cater for the academic fees of first-year university students in its first budget.
He said the first-year university students who had already paid their admission fees would be refunded to them.
Commenting on whether the NDC government would maintain or cancel the Free SHS policy, Mr Iddrisu reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to maintaining it but would undertake a comprehensive review of the policy to ensure its sustainability.
He said education was a key driver for national development, poverty reduction and promote gender equality, therefore, government would ensure access, quality and affordable education from the pre-school, basic, secondary, and tertiary education levels.
The Education Minister-designate stated that the government would undertake a stakeholder forum, involving the academia, parents, and teacher unions to discuss the challenges of the Free SHS policy to enhance its implementation.
The government would also deliberate on the future of the Free SHS policy to ensure adequate, sustainable, and reliable funding sources.
The government would construct at least one STEM model school from the kindergarten to the tertiary education level.
The nominee suggested that at least five to six per cent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) should be allocated towards supporting education to improve accessibility and quality across board.
GNA
