Ferdinand | EducationGhana | February 27| GH¢159.97 Million in Teacher Trainee Allowances for 2023/2024 Still Unpaid – GTEC
The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has revealed that GH¢159.97 million in teacher trainee allowances for the 2023/2024 academic year remains unpaid, bringing the total outstanding amount to GH¢380.11 million.
GH¢159.97 Million in Unpaid Teacher Trainee Allowances Raises Concern
The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has disclosed that GH¢159.97 million in teacher trainee allowances for the 2023/2024 academic year remains outstanding, adding to concerns about funding challenges in Colleges of Education across the country.
Speaking at the 15th Congregation of Akatsi College of Education (AKATSICO) in the Volta Region, Prof. Ahmed Jinapor Abdulai, Director-General of GTEC, highlighted the financial strain on the government in fulfilling its commitment to teacher trainees.
Breakdown of Outstanding Allowances
According to GTEC, Ghana’s 46 Colleges of Education had a total student population of 68,792 for the 2023/2024 academic year. Each student is entitled to GH¢400 per month over eight months, amounting to GH¢220.13 million.
This latest debt adds to the already unpaid allowances, bringing the total outstanding teacher trainee allowance to GH¢380.11 million.
Financial Burden on Colleges of Education
Prof. Abdulai expressed astonishment at how heads of Colleges of Education managed to provide three daily meals for students at a cost of GH¢8 per day. He commended their resourcefulness, acknowledging the critical need for sustainable funding solutions.
Call for Policy Review on Teacher Allowances and Feeding Grants
The Director-General of GTEC emphasized the importance of a national discussion on the sustainability of teacher trainee allowances and feeding grants.
He indicated that the upcoming National Education Reform Forum, set to begin tomorrow, would provide an opportunity to address these funding challenges and propose viable solutions for the education sector.
AKATSICO’s Graduation and Challenges
The event, held at Akatsi College of Education (AKATSICO), saw the graduation of 362 students, including:
✔️ 105 Upper Primary teachers
✔️ 265 Junior High School teachers
Graduation Performance
- 47 students secured First-Class Honours
- 216 students earned Second-Class Upper
- 83 students obtained Second-Class Lower
- 14 students graduated with Third-Class Honours
- 1 student recorded a pass
During his investiture as the 13th Principal of AKATSICO, Dr. Felix Kwame Kumedzro pledged to uplift the institution’s academic and infrastructural standards.
Key Development Needs of AKATSICO
Dr. Kumedzro outlined some critical challenges facing the college, including:
🚧 Lack of a health facility
🚧 Inadequate furniture
🚧 Need for infrastructure expansion
🚧 Establishment of a modern ICT centre
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The Future of Technical and Vocational Education in Ghana
Dr. Kumedzro emphasized the urgent need to strengthen Technical and Vocational Education (TVET) to meet Ghana’s development needs. He stressed that technical colleges must be adequately resourced to train teachers specialized in vocational education.
Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Technical Education
Delivering a keynote address, Prof. Isaac Boateng, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development, encouraged educational institutions to:
🔹 Foster innovation and entrepreneurship among students
🔹 Provide mentorship and funding opportunities for startups
🔹 Integrate cutting-edge technologies into curricula
“Transforming technical education requires adapting curricula to meet the needs of industry,” Prof. Boateng stated.
AKATSICO’s History and Achievements
Founded in 1963, AKATSICO has evolved from a certificate-awarding institution to a diploma-awarding college in 2004/2005, and now offers a four-year Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) degree.
Way Forward: Addressing Teacher Training Funding Challenges
As Ghana prepares for the National Education Reform Forum, education stakeholders must find long-term solutions for funding teacher trainee allowances. The success of teacher training colleges is essential for producing quality educators to support the nation’s education system.
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