The President of the Teacher Trainees’ Association of Ghana, Soale Razak, has expressed deep concern over the government’s intention to scrap trainee allowances.
Speaking on the 3FM Sunrise Show on February 5, 2025, Razak warned that this move would deeply disappoint trainees across the country.
“We don’t have the needed infrastructure in the colleges to be asked to feed ourselves,” Razak emphasized.
He explained that for years, the association has lobbied for better infrastructure and facilities in colleges of education, but government assurances have yet to materialize.
Consequently, students might struggle to feed themselves if the allowances are terminated.
“The minister is saying students should feed themselves but the facilities in the colleges are not favorable,” Razak added.
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He also mentioned that the trainee allowance is not only critical for feeding but also for purchasing some essential reading materials.
Furthermore, Razak dismissed claims that the allowance delays the immediate employment of graduates, attributing the delay instead to the mandatory national service year.
He also defended the sustainability of the allowance, drawing attention to allowances received by other sectors and expressing hope that TTAG can justify the need for the allowance at the upcoming educational forum, warning that, “In the event that it’s been cancelled, it is something that won’t help us.”
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In his submission, the President of the Conference of Principals of Colleges of Education, Ghana (PRINCOF), Prof. Samuel Awinkene Atintono, acknowledged that some students rely on the allowance for survival.
However, he shared his experience of difficulties Principals face trying to provide GH₵8.50 for 3-square meal a day for these adult students.
Prof. Atintono revealed that during a meeting with the Education Minister, Haruna Iddrisu, the Minister focused more on trainees having access to the student loan scheme and not scrapping the trainee allowance.
“For now, the government will continue to pay, however, whichever ways it goes, we will see,” Prof. Atintono noted.
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Historically, the teacher trainee allowance has seen numerous changes since its introduction in 1960 by Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.
While it was abolished in 1971 by Dr. Kofi Abrefa Busia and later reinstated by Jerry John Rawlings, it was once again canceled in 2013 by John Dramani Mahama due to budgetary constraints.
However, the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo administration reintroduced the allowance in 2017.
As the Mahama led administration considers its options, the future of the teacher trainee allowance hangs in the balance, leaving trainees anxiously awaiting further developments.