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The Students Representative Council (SRC) of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has set aside GH¢50,000 to assist needy students to pay their school fees to help save them from deferring their courses.

Over 6000 KNUST students, representing about 8 per cent of the total student population of 85,276, have had to defer their courses in line with university regulations for non-payment of school fees as required under the fees Credit and Debt Management Policy.

Out of the affected number, the SRC says over 2380 are needy students who have been offered scholarships by the SRC, which are yet to reflect in their accounts.

The SRC President, Michael Aboah said the intervention is for the students who have paid more than 50 per cent of their fees and need a top-up of 20 per cent to be able to continue with their courses without necessarily deferring.

On the issue of the university management's explanation that some of the students have misapplied their school fees by engaging in sports betting and other business ventures, the SRC President debunked the claim.

The University Relations Officer, Dr Daniel Norris Bekoe in explaining why the students have not been able to pay their fees alleged that some of them used their monies for other ventures such as sports betting. 

Read also: Deferred KNUST students used school fees for sports betting - URO

Following the intervention by the SRC, the university management has decided to give a reprieve to students who have been affected [already deferred as of Wednesday] but can immediately make arrangements to pay.

"The SRC has negotiated as at yesterday [Wednesday] so that if you even pay today, you can get your status reverted. Secondly SRC has been able to negotiate that these people will have their monies hit their accounts by Monday. Today, they are starting the first tranche of monies being disbursed to make sure that these people are alleviated from such situations," the SRC President said in an interview.

Below is a copy of a statement issued by the University Relations Office on the update

UPDATE ON STUDENTS' DEFERRAL

The SRC within last 24 hours has been on its toes to address major issues in relation to students who were unable to meet the University's 70% payment plan and have received messages of deferral.

It is important to mention that upon engagements and advocacy, the SC has been able to ensure that students who pay their fees will have their deferment reverted.

This therefore comes as a plea to students to take advantage of the opportunity and try to settle their outstanding arrears.

As a result of this, there has been a Help Desk set up at the office of the Dean of Students to address major concems in relation to:

Students who paid immediately after the deadlinc/after receiving messages of deferral
The 2380 beneficiaries of the SC KBN and KNUST Bursary whose stipend meets the 70% threshold
And any other student who received messages of deferment out of a technical hitch but had already
paid for their fees before the deadline.
NB: These categories of students are advised to visit the Help Desk with receipts of payment/award of scholarship to help revert them from deferral.

Students should also note that the 2380 shortlisted beneficiaries of the SC KBN and KNUST Bursary and the successful applicants of the SC Financial Aid Scheme shall have their accounts credited by Monday, 25* April, 2022 to help revert their deferral.

The SRC remains steadfast and committed to use all within its means to address issues. Please do not hesitate to reach out to the secretariat for further information and any concerns.

May we all have the Faith to Finish through these difficult times.

SIGNED
KENNETH KELLY DWAMENA
(PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER)

Background

Some of the students from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), who have had to defer their courses for non payment of school fees used their monies for other ventures such as sports betting, the University Relations Officer, Dr Daniel Norris Bekoe, has said.

Over 6000 students, representing about 8 per cent of the total student population of 85,276 at the KNUST have had to defer their courses in line with university regulations for non-payment of school fees.

The Academic Board of the KNUST on Tuesday made it known to the affected students that they were deferring their various programmes for non-payment of academic user fees.

Early this year, the university extended the payment date from March 21 to April 11, to allow the students to honour their obligation.

But, as of last week when mid-semester examinations were starting, the over 6000 students out of the 85,276 had reneged on their promises.

“Dear student, your programme has been deferred as you have not met the minimum requirement of the KNUST fees Credit and Debt Management Policy”, read the messages the university sent to the affected students.