National President of the Teacher Trainees’ Association of Ghana (TTAG), Jonathan Dzunu, has expressed the need for government to protect the payment of allowances to students.
According to him, this call has become necessary owing to various calls by stakeholders and sections of the public demanding the allowance scheme to be scrapped. He revealed that if some people are of the view that it should be scrapped due to economic hardships, students are equally going through the same fate.
Mr Dzunu explained that the allowances help to cushion students in the various colleges and must not be scrapped.
“We feel that the payment should be protected because over the period we’ve heard voices from people saying that it should be cancelled. We are so happy that the current government believes in the payment of teacher trainee allowance. So, as part of that commitment, we want to sit down with them and take steps in making sure that the allowance is protected going forward.”
Jonathan Dzunu
The President of TTAG emphasized that it is not fair for people to compare teacher trainees to their colleagues in traditional universities. He highlighted that students in traditional universities have all the freedom they need and “the chance to work as they are in school”, a privilege teacher trainees do not have.
“We are restricted in our movements [and] even what we wear is determined [and] where we sleep. So, it’s not fair to put the two of us in the same bracket.”
Jonathan Dzunu
Government disburses funds to colleges
Commenting on government’s release of GHC57.4 million to cater to feeding and stipends in the various colleges across the country, Mr Dzunu noted that the money is yet to be disbursed to the students and from his checks, the money is with the student loans for onward disbursements. He stated that the allowances given by government covers two months out of seven months arrears owed students and the association is yet to find out when the remaining amount will be paid.
“But I must say that we commend government for the step they’ve taken to release this money because the last time I was talking about food shortage likely to hit the colleges. So, I think the two months it will calm the situation down in a way and we appreciate that from government. In the coming days, we will be meeting stakeholders to find out when the five months will be paid.”
Jonathan Dzunu
The two months allowances, Mr Dzunu emphasized, is crucial for students as it will help solve some of the challenges encumbering them.
“There are some students who were not able to write exams simply because allowances has delayed. Lots of them depend on the allowance so when it delays, it causes a lot of issues in the colleges. So, as it has come, I believe that most of my colleagues will use it to clear some of the debt that they owe.”
Jonathan Dzunu
Mr Dzunu revealed that the association is considering meeting with government to review the allowances given to students. He indicated that he is hopeful the two side will reach a consensus which will largely benefit students and the country.
“Currently, we receive GHC200 a month and then GHC200 go into feeding. So, if we are looking at it, I won’t mention any figure. We will have to sit down and look at what is good for the students and what is good for the nation.”
Jonathan Dzunu
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