The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has directed all public Colleges of Education across the country to suspend the implementation of new fees proposed for the 2025/2026 academic year until a final decision is made following consultations with relevant authorities.
The directive comes after growing public concern over reported fee hikes at the nation’s Colleges of Education, which prompted GTEC to engage the National Conference of Principals of Colleges of Education (PRINCOF) in a meeting on Monday, October 27, 2025.
In a statement released by GTEC and signed by its management, the Commission confirmed that the discussions with PRINCOF focused on a new fee proposal that had sparked public reactions.
According to the statement, PRINCOF had presented a fee structure reflecting about a 10 percent increase from the previous academic year, alongside new components that contributed to the overall rise in charges.
The statement revealed that the proposed increments included the introduction of new fees for digital resources, a 100 percent increase in accommodation costs, and a slight upward adjustment in examination fees. These proposed adjustments, GTEC noted, had raised considerable concern among students, parents, and other education stakeholders.
“Following concerns raised by a cross-section of the general public regarding fees being charged at the country’s public Colleges of Education, the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) met with executives of the National Conference of Principals of Colleges of Education (PRINCOF) on Monday, 27th October, 2025, to discuss the matter”.
Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC)
The Commission acknowledged PRINCOF’s justification for reviewing the fees, which reportedly aimed to accommodate rising operational costs, including digital infrastructure and accommodation upgrades. However, GTEC stressed that any new fee structure must go through the appropriate legal and parliamentary approval processes before implementation.
The statement further disclosed that PRINCOF was scheduled to meet the Parliamentary Select Committee on Education on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, to deliberate on the proposed adjustments and present its rationale for the new fee structure.
“In view of the above, the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has directed the National Conference of Principals of Colleges of Education (PRINCOF) to take no action on any fee increments until a decision is reached on the matter”.
Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC)
GTEC also clarified that until such deliberations are concluded and an official resolution is reached, the fees previously approved by Parliament for the 2024/2025 academic year remain in force. “Thus, the previously approved fees by Parliament still hold until further notice,” the statement added.
The Commission’s intervention comes amid heightened public sensitivity to education costs, especially given the relative economic challenges facing many families. Parents and teacher trainees had in recent weeks voiced frustrations over reports of higher fees, describing the increases as burdensome and untimely.
By stepping in to halt the new charges, GTEC aims to ensure fairness and transparency in fee determination processes and to safeguard students from premature financial obligations not backed by the necessary regulatory approval.
The move also underscores the Commission’s oversight role in maintaining order and consistency in Ghana’s tertiary education financial governance.
The GTEC directive reflects an attempt to balance the operational realities faced by tertiary institutions with the need to protect students and their families from abrupt cost escalations.
While Colleges of Education continue to face challenges in meeting rising utility and maintenance costs, GTEC’s insistence on due process ensures that any adjustments are justified, fair, and approved within the legal framework.
The GTEC statement reaffirms the Commission’s commitment to working collaboratively with stakeholders, including PRINCOF, Parliament, and the Ministry of Education, to arrive at decisions that support both institutional sustainability and student welfare.
It also sends a clear signal that no tertiary institution under its jurisdiction can independently impose or adjust fees without explicit authorization.
For now, students and parents can expect stability in the cost of teacher education, at least until the Parliamentary Select Committee concludes its review and a final directive is issued. GTEC has assured the public that it will continue to monitor the situation and communicate any approved changes in due course.
The Commission’s decisive action reflects a broader policy emphasis on accountability and procedural integrity in Ghana’s tertiary education system. As the discussions between PRINCOF and Parliament continue, all eyes will be on the outcome and its implications for teacher trainees nationwide.
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