PRESS RELEASE
The Government Must Reallocate Teacher Trainee Allowances for Critical Educational Needs – Educate Africa Institute (EAI)
The 2025 budget allocation of GH¢203 million for teacher trainee allowances has raised concerns, particularly in light of recent educational reforms. The Colleges of Education Act, 2012 (Act 847) redefined Colleges of Education as tertiary institutions, aligning them with higher education standards. Subsequently, in May 2022, the Ministry of Education converted all public Colleges of Education into four-year Bachelor of Education degree-awarding institutions as part of broader educational reforms.
Traditionally, teacher trainees received allowances to support their diploma studies. However, with the transition to degree programs, these students now qualify for student loans, just like their counterparts in other tertiary institutions. This shift suggests that continuing to pay allowances may no longer be appropriate.
Educate Africa Institute (EAI) advocates for reallocating the GH¢203 million earmarked for these allowances towards infrastructure development and other critical educational needs. Such a reallocation could enhance the quality of education by improving facilities, resources, and overall learning environments, thereby benefiting a broader spectrum of students and educators. Critical areas that need urgent investment include:
1. Infrastructure Development: Expanding and modernizing classrooms, libraries, and science laboratories to accommodate growing student populations and enhance learning conditions.
2. Talent Harnessing & Skills Development: Establishing innovation hubs and vocational training centers to support students with creative and entrepreneurial skills beyond academic learning.
3. Sporting Activities & Facilities: Investing in modern sports complexes, training programs, and competitions to develop student-athletes and promote a well-rounded education.
4. Technology Integration: Providing digital learning tools, internet access, and computer labs to enhance technology-driven education and research.
5. Teacher Welfare & Professional Development: Allocating resources for continuous teacher training, research grants, and incentives to improve the quality of teaching.
Moreover, if the government continues to pay allowances to College of Education students, then the same must be extended to students in other tertiary institutions to ensure fairness and equal distribution of national resources. It is unjust for some students to rely on loans and repay them later while their counterparts in Colleges of Education receive free allowances.
In conclusion, aligning financial policies with the current educational framework is essential. Redirecting funds from allowances to infrastructural and educational development projects could lead to more sustainable improvements in Ghana’s education system. However, if allowances are maintained for College of Education students, then fairness demands that all tertiary students also benefit from such support.
Signed,
William Boadi
Executive Director of EAI, Educationist, Political analyst, and Social Worker.
0541935106.
Anthony Cobbinah
Educational Psychologist, Quality Assurance and Advocacy, EAI
+233243679469
EAI: EDUCATION AND SOCIAL JUSTICE