The National President of the Teacher Trainees Association of Ghana (TTAG), Jonathan Dzunu, has disclosed that the teacher trainees are yet to receive disbursement of their allowances.

Giving an update after government released GHS67 million to the colleges to enable them settle suppliers and student allowances, he averred that the medium through which government effects payment acknowledged receipt of the monies yesterday, April 25, 2022.

“Up till now, we are yet to receive our portion. Yesterday, we went to Students Loan Trust Fund to find out from them how far they have gone with the process of getting the money disbursed to the students. So, when we got there, they told us they are yet to receive the money. So, we called GTEC to find out and in the evening, I had a confirmation the money has been sent to students loan fund.”
Jonathan Dzunu

According to Jonathan Dzunu, the colleges are expecting that within the week, the money will be given to the students to enable them use it for their personal needs. He indicated that Ghana Tertiary Education Commission will give the money to the Student Loan trust funds before it gets to the students accounts but the principals have received theirs already which will be paid to the food suppliers.

Asking if the food suppliers have been paid and if the students will be supplied with food, Mr. Dzunu responded that he is yet to confirm if payments have been made. He noted that the PRINCOF head has assured the students that food supply will continue.

Data submission causing delay

Jonathan Dzunu attributed part of the delay in disbursement of funds to the students to some colleges which haven’t submitted their data and as such, posing a challenge. He averred that TTAG as a result sent out notices to all the colleges across the country to hasten its steps in ensuring data is made available to the Trust Fund as soon as possible.

“When the money gets there, students loan fund must also get data from the colleges, that is, the names and the E-zwich numbers of the students. Yesterday, we were surprised that students loan fund gave us that information. We don’t know which college is yet to submit their data.”
Jonathan Dzunu

Touching on how the students are faring whiles awaiting payment, the TTAG President intimated that things are still difficult. He disclosed that some students are facing challenges with payment of their school fees, among other academic payments to be made.

“I received calls from one of the colleges where they were saying that the school management is not taking it easy with them because they haven’t paid their fees. So, we will have to go to some of these colleges to find a solution to this.”
Jonathan Dzunu

Mr. Dzunu asserted that it is challenging for students when allowances are delayed, as such, urged government to pay these allowance on time. Explaining the challenges, he revealed that the allowances are used by some students as examination fees, among others, to enable them go through school.