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Government has approved the payment of GH¢37 million in book and research allowances to the lecturers in tertiary institutions.

Mr. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Deputy Minister of Education in-charge of Tertiary, announced this at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Kumasi.

He said the Finance Ministry had begun the processes for the release and payment of the money to beneficiary lecturers.

He broke the news at the inauguration of a new television station – TEK-TV, established by the KNUST.

The station would among other things put a spotlight on research findings, emerging issues in the creative arts industry and host educational programmes - the study of science and mathematics at the basic and senior high school (SHS) education levels.

These would be broadcast live on digital terrestrial platform to reach out to viewers across the world.

Mr. Okudzeto said education development was a major priority of the government given its critical role in transforming the lives of the people.

It would, therefore, continue to put more resources into the sector, he added. He called for dispassionate debate on the proposed payment of utility tariffs by students in tertiary institutions.

With a tertiary students’ population of 340, 000, the Deputy Minister said it was becoming increasingly difficult for the government to bear the full cost of the student facility user fee.

“The old utility tariff regime, which gave opportunity for the limited number of students in those days to enjoy facilities free of charge can no longer continue”, he stated.