Dr. Timothy Mahamudu Bawumia, Vice-President of Ghana, has announced plans to increase the Trainees’ Allowance by at least 50% in the next term of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government.
This announcement was made during Dr. Bawumia’s campaign visit to the Ashanti Region, where he sought the support of delegates ahead of the NPP Super-delegates Congress scheduled for August 2023.
Dr. Bawumia, who is among the 10 aspirants hoping to become the party’s flagbearer, expressed his commitment to enhancing the lives of teacher trainees in Ghana.
Currently, these trainees receive a monthly stipend of 400 Cedis, with 251 Cedis allocated for their feeding expenses and the remaining 149 Cedis paid directly to them.
However, an ongoing challenge has been the delay in disbursing the allowance, resulting in arrears of two months for the 2022/2023 academic year.
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Despite the difficulties faced by the government in releasing funds to the Students Loan Trust Fund for the timely payment of these stipends, Dr. Bawumia remains optimistic about the nation’s ability to allocate the necessary resources to fulfill this promise.
The proposed increase in the Teacher Trainee Allowance would not only alleviate the financial strain experienced by these aspiring educators but also serve as a testament to the importance of investing in quality education for Ghana’s future.
The pledge to increase the Teacher Trainee Allowance by 50% reflects Dr. Bawumia’s recognition of the sacrifices made by these future educators and their invaluable contribution to society.
This commitment not only aligns with the NPP’s vision for comprehensive educational reforms but also serves as an important step towards building a stronger and more prosperous Ghana.
See also: The State of the Teacher Trainee Allowances.
With this bold promise, Dr. Bawumia aims to secure the support of the delegates and ultimately the confidence of the trainees.
Will he be able to deliver his promise when given the mandate? This remmains the question most trainees are asking.