Abetifi College students protest over feeding grant

Students of Abertifi College of Education undertook two and half hours demonstration on campus against the management for allegedly failing to pay them their two semester feeding grants.

The student leaders, who wanted to remain anonymous for fear of victimisation, described their action as a peaceful picketing as they went round the school campus singing and shouting with red bands on their heads and wrists.

They went to the residence of the Principal of the College, Reverend Daniel Bosea-Gyinatwi, the Vice Principal Rev Bremang who have both travelled to Cape Coast, the residence of the Bursar, the Dean of Students Affairs and the Quality Assurance Officer and the Administration block where they presented a five-point petition to the management.

The students leaders said, the level 100 teacher trainees were to receive GHC560.00 per a student while the level 200 trainees were to receive GHC1,520.00 per a student for the two semesters.

However the level 300 trainees who are about to complete their studies have received their grants.

The students also wanted a refund of GHC55.00 paid per a student by the more than 1,325 teacher trainees from level 100 to 300 last year for their 13th Annual Students Representative Council (SRC) Week celebration which did not come on.

They also accused management of the college of failing to distribute adequate syllabus to level 200 trainees to prepare their lesson notes for their teaching practice this academic year.

They said they were refused access to the ICT laboratory centre for their research work.

The students accused the management of refusing to release the anniversary cloth of the school to the male trainees, which they have paid for and also complain of bedbugs which have infected all the dormitories.

When management of the college was contacted, the Dean of Students Affairs, Mr Ayittey Chaitey said, though the college had received the two semester feeding grants, some of the students owe the college more than GHC700,000.00 school fees and the sum would be deducted.

He explained that some of the students would not get anything after the deduction, while others would have to pay additional fees.

On the refund of the SRC Week Celebration contribution, he said the management of the college met with the SRC executives and informed them of efforts being made to refund the money to them.

Mr Chaitey said, the syllabus for the students is with the Teacher Education Division of the Ministry of Education and the Cape Coast University is responsible for the printing of the syllabus and not the college.

He said the anniversary cloth of the students have been sent to a tailor, whilst the ICT Centre was closed because the internet provider – Vodafone has disconnected the College for unpaid bills.