Dr. Samuel Addae-Boateng, General Secretary of the Principals of Colleges of Education Forum (PRINCOF) and Principal of Atebubu College of Education, has raised concerns over the special treatment teacher trainees receive regarding government allowances.
Speaking on Operapa TV’s Breakfast program monitored by Kumasimail, he questioned why teacher trainees are provided with daily feeding allowances when students pursuing the same Bachelor of Education programs at universities do not receive such benefits.
Dr. Addae-Boateng emphasized that the educational programs at Colleges of Education mirror those offered at six universities, yet university students manage without government feeding allowances.
He challenged the notion that teacher trainees cannot attend school without being fed three times a day, describing the preferential treatment as unwarranted.
“What makes these college students so special that they cannot attend school without being fed three times daily?” he asked pointedly.
He highlighted the contradiction by pointing out the expensive gadgets and clothing some trainees possess, suggesting that many can afford to feed themselves without government support.
“If a student can afford an iPhone 16, then surely they can afford food too,” he remarked, urging a more nuanced and fair approach to student welfare.
In light of financial constraints faced by Colleges of Education, PRINCOF recently announced a reduction from three meals to one meal per day for teacher trainees residing on campus.
Dr. Addae-Boateng supports this move and advocates for allowing teacher trainees to access the Students’ Loan Trust Fund (SLTF) instead of relying on direct government allowances.
“I believe allowing students to take care of themselves through the student loan will benefit everyone; the government, the colleges, and the students,” he explained.
Source: www.kumasimail.com/ Kwadwo Owusu
