The move, according to a statement signed by the Registrar of the university, Dr Baboucarr Njie, followed a review of the impact of the disease on Ghana by the Academic Board of the University after the lifting of the partial lockdown.

As part of measures put in place to complete the 2019/2020 academic year, the University has granted waivers on school fees and other related costs including internet fees of GH¢250 for the second semester for all final year students to enable them to complete and submit their dissertation in good time.

“Five per cent of the total school fees excluding accommodation and feeding fee for the second semester was waived for all level 100 and 300 students and 50 per cent of the accommodation fee for students in the university’s residential facility was also waived for affected students,” it stated.

“For cadet students, who are fed by the university, 50 per cent of the feeding fee was waived. The Council also decided that with the exception of final year students who are to pay their remaining fees in full, continuing students (levels 100 to 300) would be required to pay at least 80 per cent of their total outstanding fees. Most of the students have not fully paid their fees as at now,” it added.

According to the statement, soon after the national lockdown, lecturers were directed to deliver lectures online and students were assured that they would be compensated for data used in receiving the lectures.

In addition, the academic council further decided that the academic calendar which would have ended on June 6 is extended to the end of July 2020 for undergraduate students and August 31 for post graduate students.

“It is obvious from the above stated fee waivers, notwithstanding of the financial difficulties that the university is facing during this difficult times, that the Management thought through carefully about the plight of students before arriving at a decision. It must be placed on record that RMU is the only university in the country at the moment that has so far, granted fee waiver to students and must therefore be commended and not condemned as it is currently,” it said.