Many trainees have been reaching out to Coleman Publications to inquire whether the elected President, H.E John Dramani Mahama, will cancel their allowances.
Well, this article aims to provide insights on the matter and offer the best possible answers to trainees.
While Mahama has not explicitly stated that his administration will scrap the current trainees allowances, his 30-pledge education policy includes significant changes that could impact trainees.
One of the key pledges is the implementation of a ‘No-Academic-Fee’ policy for first-year students in all public tertiary institutions, including universities, colleges of education, and nursing training colleges.
This means that first-year students enrolled in any public tertiary institution including Colleges of Education will not pay fees for their first year.
SEE ALSO: Payment of Teacher Trainees’ Allowance and Matters Arising
For continuing students, Mahama has pledged to provide financial assistance by reintroducing and redeploying the Student Loan Trust Fund Plus and a reformed scholarship regime.
Currently, trainees cannot benefit from loans from the Student Loan Trust Fund because of the monthly allowance they receive.
Therefore, if the government has promised to extend the loan scheme to trainees, it means that these allowances may be removed, as that’s the only way trainees may become eligible for these loans.
SEE ALSO: How to Apply for a Student Loan, Eligibility & Requirements
Additionally, Mahama has promised to scrap the NPP’s mandatory national service policy for teacher trainee graduates, ensuring the prompt employment of newly qualified teachers without the need for national service.
For teachers already in the field, he plans to institute the ‘Teacher Dabr3’ Project to provide accommodation facilities within new and existing school buildings, introduce a special allowance—20 percent of basic salary—for teachers who accept postings to rural and underserved communities, and initiate a scheme to assist teachers in owning vehicles through flexible duty payment arrangements and employer guarantees in partnership with teacher unions and the banking sector.
Mahama has also promised to provide allowances, student loans, scholarships, and other funding options for teachers and nurses.
SEE ALSO: Mahama’s Education Policy: Will Teacher Licensure Exams Be Cancelled?
While the future of trainees’ allowances remains uncertain, these pledges indicate a significant shift in the financial support structure for trainees and educators in the country.