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Some students from the University of Ghana (UG) and the Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ) oppose the increase in fees for the 2020/21 academic year.
At the University of Ghana, there is an increase of more than 12 percent in fees.
Speaking to JoyNews, the students said the increase is “insensitive” considering the financial cost that the Covid-19 pandemic has had on them and their families.
“I was stunned to see such an increase in rates considering the times we are in and how this virus has affected businesses and households. I think the management is a broader consultation on this matter ”, said a student.
Another claimed that there are parents who have lost their jobs and have families who find it difficult to earn money in this period of coronavirus.
“It’s amazing how, we go to school for only six weeks and instead we think the school could cut the fees we are going to pay huge fees,” added one student.
He explained that because the number of weeks they will spend in school during the academic year was low, he and others expected it to be reflected in the fees.
“This is really heartbreaking for most of us,” he added.
Other students also called for a semester fee review, especially in the era where many of their classes are held online.
According to the Law on Fees and Charges, all fees and charges must receive parliamentary ratification before entering into force.
The University of Ghana and the Ghana Institute of Journalism are the only public tertiary institutions to have released their fee schedule for the upcoming academic year after Covid-19 restrictions forced schools to close for months.
Meanwhile, the National Union of Students of Ghana (NUGS) says it is also concerned about the increases and has asked students from affected institutions not to pay the new fees yet.
NUGS Secretary General Divine Edem Kwadzodeh told JoyNews that his team “has been working with the government for about two to three weeks to reduce rates.”
He stated that they are looking to meet with the Committee in Parliament in charge of Education to further deliberate on the reduction.
