The Africa Education Watch (Eduwatch) has reiterated its stance against the teacher trainee allowances, deeming the allocation of GHS203 million for the program in the 2025 budget a “wasteful expenditure.”
This criticism comes even as the Mahama-led administration plans to uncap the GETFund and significantly invest in other areas of education.
In a recent interview with CitiFM, Eduwatch Executive Director Kofi Asare urged the government to “depart from that narrative” of paying trainee allowances.
He acknowledged the positive aspects of the 2025 budget, including the planned uncapping of the GETFund through amendments to the Earmarked Capping and Realignment Act of 2017.
Asare also lauded the allocation of approximately GHS145 million for capitation grants, GHS3.5 billion for the Free Senior High School (SHS) program, and over GHS500 million for textbooks in basic schools.
SEE ALSO: Eduwatch Lauds Mahama for Significant Education Allocation in 2025 Budget
However, he remained firm in his opposition to the trainee allowance program. “I don’t think that allocating over 200 million for teacher trainee allowance is a game changer,” Asare stated. “It is actually a wasteful expenditure, and we encourage the government to depart from that narrative.”
The debate surrounding trainee allowances has been ongoing for some time. Earlier in the year, Eduwatch and others called for the scrapping of the program.
Despite this, the Finance Minister, Dr. Casiel Ato Forson announced a total allocation of GH¢684 million for both teacher and nursing trainee allowances during the presentation of the 2025 budget on March 11th.
“We have allocated GH¢203 million for the payment of teacher trainee allowances and another GH¢480 million for nursing trainee allowances,” Dr. Forson confirmed, highlighting the government’s commitment to supporting future educators and healthcare professionals.
He explained that the funding is part of the government’s ongoing effort to invest in education and healthcare.
SEE ALSO: Budget 2025: Teacher and Nursing Trainee Allowances Secured, No-Fee Policy Expanded -Check Details
The historical context adds another layer to the debate. The previous John Mahama administration, under the NDC, cancelled the allowance program, which was subsequently reinstated by the NPP administration under Nana Akufo-Addo.
This has raised questions about the current Mahama government’s decision to continue the payments, especially given their past arguments that trainee nurses and teachers could access student loans like other tertiary students.
It is worth noting that the allocation of the GHS203 million will benefit thousands of students enrolled in the various public colleges of education across the country.
