The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has renewed its recommendation to tertiary institutions to increase fees by a maximum of 15% for the coming academic year.

According to GTEC and Parliament, there has been a 15% maximum increase across the board, as permitted by Parliament for university prices from the previous academic year.

Some schools published prices in excess of 50% for the 2022/2023 academic year without resorting to the Parliament-approved rate, prompting GTEC’s worry.

“This is to kindly remind all public tertiary institutions to abide strictly by the approval given. Any increases above the approved rate shall be in direct contravention of the fees and charges (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2022 (Act 1080) and likely to attract sanctions from the Parliament of Ghana”, the Commission said in a statement.

The rate of increase in public university fees has already been criticised as being insensitive by the University Students’ Association of Ghana (USAG).

Some public colleges have already released their tentative tuition rates for the 2022–2023 academic year, and USAG claims that these rates have gone above the allowable increase.

According to USAG, due to the current economic climate, the increase may lead to students quitting school.

The Association asserted that students across the nation will vigorously oppose any move by colleges to raise fees above the authorised percentage.

“At the request of the students, we further, kindly advise the Management of the institutions to consider accepting a 50% part-payment of fees to enable the student to register at the beginning of the year, with a specific payment plan agreed upon for the balance to be paid, based on individual circumstances. This is to provide flexible terms of payment and reduce fee-default rate amongst students with genuine financial challenges”, the GTEC statement further urged.