Dr. Abdul Samed Muntaka, a leading youth advocate and researcher, has expressed serious concerns regarding the feasibility of the National Democratic Congress’s (NDC) recent pledge to provide free academic fees for all first-year university students.
Dr Muntaka’s remarks, made during an interview on 3FM, highlight potential operational challenges universities may face if the initiative encounters delays in government funding.
Dr. Muntaka pointed out that universities heavily rely on the timely payment of fees by first-year students to support their operations.
“Continuing students often delay their fee payments, making first-year students’ fees a crucial revenue stream for universities,” he said. “While it’s not the sole source of income, it is significant because first-year students are typically required to pay their full fees.”
According to Dr. Muntaka, the core issue is the timing and structure of the fund disbursement.
“The critical question is: how quickly will the government release these funds? Will the funds be available before students register, or will students need to register first before the funds are disbursed to universities? Delays in this process could lead to a serious operational crisis for universities,” he warned.
Dr. Muntaka highlighted the financial and administrative sacrifices required to fund such a policy. He urged the NDC to focus on genuine solutions rather than political gain.
“Significant sacrifices will be necessary to fund this policy. We need to see reductions in luxury expenditures, allowances, and system inefficiencies to generate the needed resources,” he said.
He expressed scepticism about the promise’s implementation, cautioning that if the policy is driven solely by electoral motives, its successful execution could be compromised.
“If these promises are made merely to garner votes, it undermines the commitment to effective implementation. The risk of failing to deliver increases significantly,” Dr. Muntaka added.
The discussion around the no-fee policy underscores the need for careful planning and transparency in implementing such ambitious promises to ensure that universities and students benefit without unnecessary disruptions.
