There are many misconceptions surrounding the payment of the teacher trainee allowances.
For the past weeks, our outlet has received numerous inquiries from parents and fresh students seeking clarification on the topic.
We want to use this article to highlight some of these misconceptions and provide accurate clarifications as best as possible.
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One common misconception they hold is that the allowances are paid monthly (regularly). This is not true.
Allowances are disbursed to trainees only when the government releases funds to the Students Loan Trust Fund (SLTF).
Currently, trainees have completed their 2023/2024 academic year and are on vacation awaiting the start of the 2024/2025 academic year but have only received payment for their first semester.
The government owes them four months of arrears, with no confirmed date for payment. This is to tell you how the allowances are paid to trainees.
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Another misconception is that trainees receive the full GH₵ 400.00 allowance unto their E-zwich Cards. This is also not true.
In reality, trainees only receive GH₵ 149.00, with the remaining funds allocated to their colleges for their feeding. Trainees also have TTAG dues deducted from that.
This system also creates difficulties for some of the colleges, as they receive the feeding grant only when the allowance is disbursed.
This sometimes lead to financial strain on the colleges as they have to find alternative sources of funding to feed trainees, often resorting to buy on credit at high rates, hoping the allowances will be released to settle.
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To the freshers and their parents, it is important to understand that the process for receiving the allowances is not instantaneous.
Even after enrollment, freshers might find themselves waiting the entire semester without receiving any funds.
This delay is due to the necessary administrative steps required for the colleges to submit trainees’ information to the SLTF, a process that must be completed before any payments can be authorized.
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While the allowance is helpful to trainees, its disbursement is not as frequent or predictable as many believe.
Parents and fresh students are urged to manage their expectations and understand the realities of the allowance system.