Teacher students call for SSNIT Loans

Sunyani, Aug. 10, GNA - Teachers in the Nkoranza District of Brong Ahafo Region pursuing degree programmes through distance learning education have appealed to the Government to make them beneficiaries of the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) students' loans scheme.

The teachers, numbering about 50 explained that unlike their counterparts, who are at university campuses and whose replacement has caused the nation extra cost, they were at post.

Mr. Jarvis Reginald Kwabena Agyemang-Badu, Nkoranza District Director of Education told Ghana News Agency in Sunyani that the teachers made the appeal during his familiarization tour of the seven circuits under the district education directorate.

The District Director who was the immediate past Headmaster of Twene Amanfo Secondary/Technical School in Sunyani said the teachers complained that their counterparts on the University campuses enjoy privileges like direct contact with lecturers, access to books in the libraries and other university facilities and take their salaries and SSNIT students loans.

He noted that the teachers had to travel to Sunyani Polytechnic at the weekends to meet lecturers for normal lectures and Examinations amidst great inconveniences, risks and at great cost.

Mr. Agyemang-Badu urged the government to consider the sacrifices of teachers undertaking distant education degree courses and pave the way for them to benefit from the SSNIT scheme. This is because they pay student user fees and those who could not afford are compelled to seek for loans from the banks at very high interest rates, he said.

The Director added that the appeal, if heeded to, would motivate more teachers to undertake the programme and also save cost in the provision of extra hostels, lecture theatres and other facilities at the universities for the increased intake.