Mr. Jonathan Dzunu, National President of the Teacher Trainees’ Association of Ghana (TTAG) has disclosed that, teacher trainees allowance is in arrears for seven (7) months.
He explained that, the allowances are not paid for 7 months for the 2021/2022 academic year, particularly from January 2022 till date which has immensely compounded financial burden on teacher trainees in the various colleges.
Though, he commended the effort of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s government to reinstitute the payment of teacher trainees’ allowance, he said, the allowance restoration is faced with delay in disbursement, non or zero payment of allowance to some students.
Addressing teacher trainees at the 26th General Assembly of TTAG at St. Francis College of Education, Hohoe, Jonathan Dzunu said, the allowances paid teacher trainees with feeding grants as a component for the various colleges of education are aimed at easing the huge financial burden on teacher trainees.
He added that, what is making the situation complex and disturbing is that, the level 100 and 400 students have completed their first semester and first half of their second semester respectively but till now, their allowances are not paid particularly the level 400 students who are exiting college pretty shortly.
“The level 200 and 300 students have equally done the first semester and heading towards the second semester yet a penny is not paid them as allowance.”
“Looking at the current economic hardship in the country, you can imagine the difficulty students are going through, life on campus without allowance has become very unbearable for us.”
He noted that, food shortages are likely to hit the colleges soon as a result of non-payment of allowances.
According to Dzunu, the principals are complaining that the suppliers are not ready to supply them with food items because they owe them. A tough situation for the Principals.
“it is our view that the colossal delay in payment of allowances is going to send the clock backwards and the little successes chalked as a result of the implementation of the teacher trainee allowance whittled away taking into consideration the historical antecedent that led to the implementation of the allowance scheme and the positive effect it has had on teacher education in particular and basic education in general over the years.”
“Let me hasten to add that we are perfectly aware of the current economic and financial crisis in the nation. Nonetheless, the innocent teacher trainee should not be used as a sacrificial lamb. If this is
not adhered to, it will be tantamount to a poultry farmer whose chicken is stolen by a hawk and again throws eggs at the hawk forgetting that both comes from the same poultry; Meanwhile, quality teacher education can help turn the economic fortunes of this nation.”
SOURCE: Coverghana.com.gh
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