The Association of Private Universities in Ghana has sent an urgent message to the government over the imminent collapse of the institutions under it if nothing is done to address the challenges they face.
Vice-Chairman of the Association, Professor Daniel Bediako has disclosed that the outbreak of the coronavirus and its consequent restrictions on the educational sector has greatly affected private universities.
Speaking at a meeting with the Vice President, Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia, Professor Bediako, who doubles as the Vice-Chancellor of the Valley View University, stated that the government needed to make an intervention.
“Private universities largely depend on students fees to survive and most of these institutions I can say; over 90 per cent of them are really struggling. Most of us are actually on the brink of collapse. Valley View University for example employs over 800 workers which means that we support over 800 families. Should we continue not to reopen, I don’t know what to tell my workers. If I want them to go home, they will blame me and someone else. So we are actually on our knees.”
The Coronavirus pandemic has affected the financial situation of institutions in the educational sector, particularly those in the private sector.
Management of such institutions says the continuous closure of schools is having dire consequences on their businesses warning of possible lay-offs and complete collapse if schools are not reopened anytime soon.
Many have asked for assistance from the government to enable them to cover their operational cost.
Bailout package for private schools under consideration – Bawumia
Vice President, Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia says the Finance Minister has been tasked to draw up a programme aimed at mitigating the plight of private schools who have been hit the most following the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.
According to Dr. Bawumia, the government will soon engage the school owners on the issue.
“I think that there is going to be a discussion, to see how to cushion our private schools.”
“The President has already given a directive to the minster to take a look at how we can cushion our private schools and I think some funding is being made available in that direction,” he said.
