Government given 3 weeks to pay 6 months Teacher Trainees Allowances Arrears

EducationGhana, October 14, TTAG: The Government has been given 3 weeks ultimatum to pay 6 months Teacher Trainees Allowances Arrears starting from October 5, 2021, a statement from the leadership of the Teacher Trainees Association of Ghana (TTAG) has stated.

The October 5, 2021 statement issued by the National Secretariate of TTAG indicated that the trainees expect their allowance arrears else shall take appropriate actions to ensure that their voices are heard.

The Restoration

The statement indicated that The restoration of the allowance has always been given commendations by the National Executive Council of TTAG and the entire Trainees across the 46 public Colleges of Education in Ghana due to its significant relief role.

The TTAG described the restoration of the allowance as an unforgettable legacy.

The Undue Delay

According to the Trainees, it must be stated without equivocation that the over delay in the payment of the allowance has and is causing most Teacher Trainees unease.

”The leadership of TTAG on several occasions has engaged the Minister for Education, Director General for Ghana Tertiary Education Commission(GTEC) and the CEO for Student Loan Trust Fund(SLTF) to seek the prompt payment of the Teacher Trainees’ allowance but the results have always been the same.” The statement said.

Students’ Use of the Allowance

”It is worth stating that most trainees rely on the allowance to settle their school and examination fees hence the delay in its payment caused some trainees not to sit for the just-ended end of semester examination across various Colleges.”

”Again, the level 400 teacher trainees have started an OUT-PROGRAM segment (internship) in early September where trainees have to rent their rooms, feed themselves, travel from their stations to campus to submit project works, and how does the ordinary trainee who relies on the allowance be able to secure the above for better education?” They asked.

It is also worth mentioning that prospective level 200 & 300 trainees were also been scheduled to undertake 20 days of Supported Teaching in Schools, STS observation to which they are also stressed because most of them failed to pay their fees in the previous academic year and will need to work for money to cater for their needs in the new academic year.

College’s use of Allowance

”It is out of this same allowance that the Principals in Colleges feed us from, and the delay in payment of the allowance has subjected them to constant borrowing and the usage of the internally generated funds of the Colleges.”They lamented.

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Adverse Effects

”The above challenges associated with the delay in payment of the allowance has had adverse effects on quality teacher education in the country.”

”It however appears that nursing trainees are more prioritized to the neglect of us. Their allowances since the beginning of this year are always paid first whilst teacher trainees are paid little or no allowances at all.”

”The Vice President of the Republic during the launch of the restoration of the allowance said “The restoration of the teacher trainee allowance is the first step on the road to ensuring that the teaching profession enjoys the exalted status it enjoyed in times past. With your help we shall make this happen,”  We are afraid at this juncture that we are not enjoying our stay in college rather serious suffering.”

”We are hereby giving a three weeks ultimatum starting today to the government to pay the arrears of six months allowance to us Teacher Trainees else we shall take appropriate actions to ensure that our voices are heard.” The statement concluded.

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