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General News of Monday, 21 February 2005

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Govt to absorb school fees -Free education?

Following the announced increases in petroleum prices last Friday evening, Government has decided to ?absorb the fees paid by parents at the primary and junior secondary schools.?

At a press conference to announce fuel price hikes, Mr Kwadwo Baah-wiredu, minister for finance and economic planning, said Government is aware that the cost of living will go up with the increases in prices of petroleum products, for which reason ?Government has, therefore, decided to take (these) measures to reduce the burden of the price increase on society.?

Among other measures to make life bearable in the wake of the petroleum price increases that Mr Baah-Wiredu announced was that Government is consulting with all interested groups, especially the Trades Union Congress, the Forum and the Employer?s Association, to negotiate wages and salaries of all workers.

He said he will announce the details of the new salary levels next week in the budget statement.