President of the Teacher Trainees Association of Ghana (TTAG), Jonathan Dzunu, has welcomed the move by government to pay its outstanding debt to the Colleges of Education.
Mr Dzunu revealed that the monies released will help ease the plight of teacher trainees in the country who were affected by the decision taken by the National Conference of Principals of Colleges of Education, Ghana (PRINCOF) to discontinue feeding students.
“I want to thank them very much that a move has been made to release funds and pay the allowance of teacher trainees and giving the feeding component to the principals. So, we thank government very much but we are expecting that the disbursement will be done as early as possible, so that teacher trainees can equally receive their allowance.”
Jonathan Dzunu
Commenting on the seven months arrears owed teacher trainees by government, Mr Dzunu noted that per the last conversation with Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), the Commission gave an assurance that the monies will be paid and the arrears cleared. He expressed optimism that the 2021/2022 academic year arrears will also be cleared.
The TTAG President however, cautioned that members will not appreciate payment of arrears to be made in instalments.
“So, that is what we are hoping for, that government as a matter of urgency releases the money and then pay the teacher trainees… If the money is paid in instalment, you will go round and come back and be having this same discussion again. That is our problem… So, we are hoping and pleading that the money should be paid in full.”
Jonathan Dzunu
Allowance for teacher trainees
Commenting on whether there are variations between allowances given to teacher trainees, Mr Dzunu disclosed that the first year students receive the same amount in allowances as their senior counterparts. He however noted that the only difference has to do with the number of months payments are made.
“… When payments is being effected, the level 100’s they will only receive three months, but the level 200’s, 300’s and 400’s, they would have to be paid for the seven months. That’s the only variation.”
Jonathan Dzunu
On his part, Larry Agbador, Editor for the Colleges of Education Weekly Journal described the release of funds by the government as “refreshing”. He opined that the news should be a sign of relief to PRINCOF.
Addressing a press conference on Wednesday, April 20, 2022, Education Minister, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, revealed that government has released some monies to the Colleges of Education in Ghana. He indicated that the monies will help tackle concerns raised by the National Conference of Principals of Colleges of Education, Ghana (PRINCOF) over delays in the payment of six-month feeding fees arrears by the government.
“… I know you may have read media reports, there were many calls on us to respond to concerns of PRINCOF. We want to let the country know that the President of the Republic, the Finance Minister and all those who have worked hard to ensure various promises made to Colleges of Education are carried through, have delivered on their promise. That is why this amount has been released to Colleges of Education.”
Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum
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