The Minister-designate for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has disclosed that the "No Fees Stress" Initiative will not cover professional courses such as medicine.

The nominee, who is also the Member of Parliament for Tamale South, clarified that the President Mahama-led administration will allocate funds to support the initiative in the first budget.

He stated that the budget will include an allocation of GH¢345 million to cover admission fees for students pursuing courses in general subject areas, excluding professional courses like medicine.

"On the authority of President Mahama, I am confident that his Minister of Finance will present the revised budget of the government. This will include a provision of GH¢345 million to cover admission fees for students undertaking courses in general subject areas, excluding professional programs like medicine," he explained.

Haruna Iddrisu further noted that the President views this initiative as a pilot program, which could be expanded depending on the state of the economy.

He added, "For President Mahama, this is a pilot model to experiment with. We will assess its impact as a country. If expansion is feasible, then it will be considered. The President has also made it clear that those who are financially able should not depend on this initiative."

He revealed that students who have already paid their fees in the respective schools will be refunded.

In addition, he pledged to uncap the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) as a matter of urgency to enhance infrastructural development in the education sector.

"In recent years, GETFund has faced challenges due to the decision of the former finance minister to cap it. President Mahama has publicly committed to addressing this issue, and I join him in affirming that we will uncap GETFund to release additional resources for robust infrastructural development," he said.

He emphasized, "I will engage with the Minister of Finance to uncap GETFund as a matter of priority."

The plan to uncap GETFund, he explained, will be part of broader discussions with the IMF to review existing agreements.

"...The President will engage with the IMF to review the memorandum, which included GETFund in the negotiations. President Mahama has stated that he will review the IMF agreements, and part of this review will focus on uncapping GETFund."



Meanwhile, watch as John Mahama assures Ghanaians to be decisive and swift in his actions