The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has assured Ghanaians of its plan to implement a ‘Bed-for-All’ program in tertiary institutions under former President John Dramani Mahama’s presidency.
The program is part of the party’s attempts to create on-campus and affordable student hotels, as well as to extend accommodation options for university students through public-private partnerships.
The idea is one among numerous initiatives announced by the party to be implemented if elected in the next general election to reset the education system, which they accuse the Nana Addo government of distorting.
‘’Distinguished friends from the media, the power of education to transform nations, societies, and individuals is well documented and self-evident. This is why the NDC, since its inception, has always prioritised education at all levels.
Unfortunately, under the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia NPP government, the education sector has suffered neglect and severe distortions.
This distortion is evinced by an acute infrastructural deficit, an erratic academic calendar, inconsistent curricula, a lack of investment in the professional needs of teachers, poor industrial relations leading to prolonged and unresolved strikes, inadequate teaching and learning materials, and slumping quality in education outcomes at all levels.’’
This was stated at a maiden press conference conducted at the party’s headquarters on Tuesday, August 26, 2024, and addressed by a Deputy Ranking Member on the Education Committee of Parliament who is now functioning as the education spokesperson for the John Mahama 2024 presidential campaign.
The major highlight of the initiatives under tertiary education the party noted is to provide free tertiary education for persons living with disabilities and also implement a ‘No-Academic Fees’ policy for all first-year students in all public tertiary institutions (universities, technical universities, colleges of education, nursing training colleges, etc.).
The Builsa South MP told journalists that a new Mahama-led government will revamp the Student Loan Trust Fund to increase loan amounts based on a needs assessment and ensure prompt disbursements.
The party seeks to introduce legislation to usher in a new era of government scholarship administration that will prohibit the award of scholarships to government officials and streamline scholarships across multiple sectors to do away with the current uncoordinated regime.
It has also promised to de-collateralise the GETFUND and restore it to its original mandate of educational financing; continue with our policy to establish public universities in every region with a focus on newly created regions and improve subventions to public universities and ensure timely disbursements.
The Former lecturer at the University of Ghana, Legon urged Ghanaians to have faith in John Dramani Mahama’s leadership and the NDC, citing his impressive record in education among other areas.
”John Dramani Mahama has a proven track record in the area of education and can be trusted to deliver on these promises. He is a visionary and a sincere leader you can trust any day, any time, and anywhere. Vote for John Dramani Mahama to ensure every Ghanaian child gets a quality education. Help us to rescue and reset our education for our collective good.’’
Source: rainbowradioonline.com
