Open letter to Speaker of Parliament on exorbitant fees of colleges of education

I write to express my discontent and intense aversion with regards to the proposed 2017/2018 academic fees of level 200 students of colleges of education in Ghana and plead with you to actuate the powers of your office and that of Parliament to require an immediate review of the proposed fees by Parliament.

Mr. Speaker, I crave your indulgence to walk you through the proposed fees by Parliament for level 200 students this year. Let me be quick to say that whatever figure I am putting across is exactly what came from Parliament.

Parliament proposed All Program fees of GHC603.76, an S.R.C. Dues of GHC 100, a Hall Dues of GHC 100, and an Examination fee of GHC 360 which is usually determined by the University of Cape Coast.

These debatable figures sum up to a hooping GHC 1163.76 for which is a clear indication of an unbelievable betrayal of students of colleges of education by Parliament. How can an average Ghanaian parent who voted for change in anticipation of being able to see their wards through teacher training afford it?

Again, let me draw your attention to the fact that the GHC1163.76 as proposed by Parliament excludes feeding grant. This means a proposed feeding grant of GHC 728 will be deducted on a monthly spread from the proposed GHC 400 allowance to be given to every student in a college of education.

Mr. Speaker, I owe it a responsibility to again draw to your attention that, students in colleges of education can never be able to pay this outrageous fees in my opinion, and it will be prudent for your outfit to intervene swiftly to prevent ruining that young level 200 teacher trainee who cannot afford to pay such fees future.

Again, I fear for the future of every young Ghanaian youth who wish to attend college of education if this situation is not ratified. I am saddened by the rise in fees of colleges of education and wish to remind you of your own constitutional provision; Article 25(1) and I quote, "higher education shall be made equally accessible to all on the basis of capacity, by every appropriate means, and in particular, by progressive introduction of free education".

In conclusion Mr. Speaker, it is staggering that we have to pay such high fees just at the time the nations economy is now picking up. I plead with you once again to activate the sacred laws of Ghana to intervene in this issue. Save our Students Mr. Speaker.

Yours Sincerely ......signed........ Derrick Boakye (A concerned Teacher Trainee) 0267855612

Cc: The Chairman, Select Committee on Education

The Majority Leader

The Minority Leader

The Majority Chief Whip

The Minority Chief Whip