Teacher trainee allowances ‘swapped’ for good reasons – Mahama

President John Dramani Mahama has clarified that allowances for training teachers were not scrapped as being put out in the public sphere but were rather swapped for a better scheme.

He said they were swapped for very good reasons.

Speaking at University of Education, Winneba (UEW) on the last leg of his ‘Accounting to the People Tour’ of the Central Region on Friday, May 6, the president said: “Government swapped the allowances that used to be paid to teacher trainees to give way to more eligible students who didn’t have admissions to the teacher training colleges”.

The scheme was resisted by teacher trainees after government announced its decision.

President Mahama says over 7,000 apply for student loans currently.

He said the policy was part of government plans to expand education in the country in order for more children to get to schools.

He assured authorities at UEW of equal share of the national educational infrastructure.

In a speech read on his behalf, Vice Chancellor of UEW Professor Mawutor Avoke lamented the inadequate hostel facilities for students on campus.

He said though about 53,000 students have been enrolled across the country only 17 per cent have accommodation on campus.

President Mahama therefore pledged government support to increase accommodation for students.