The Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has revealed plans to gradually phase out the teacher trainee allowance and replace it with an improved student loan scheme. This move aims to help trainees cover their personal expenses rather than relying on government stipends.
Speaking during a meeting with the leadership of the Conference of Principals of Colleges of Education (PRINCOF) in Accra, he stated that while the allowance would remain in place for now, a transition to the loan system would eventually take effect. He emphasized that government support should focus on feeding students at the basic and senior high school levels, while tertiary students should be responsible for their upkeep.
To ensure a smooth transition, both the allowance and loan scheme will run concurrently for a period, allowing students to choose between them before the full switch.
The minister also acknowledged the challenges facing colleges of education, including inadequate infrastructure and logistics. He reassured principals that the government is committed to improving conditions, despite budgetary constraints.
Professor Samuel Awinkene Atintono, President of PRINCOF, raised concerns about stalled infrastructure projects in teacher training institutions, urging the government to prioritize completing abandoned projects before starting new ones.
