The Director General of Ghana Tertiary Education Commission, GTEC, Prof Ahmed Jinapor Abdulai, has lamented the financial burden of the payment of teacher trainee allowances on the public coffers.

He disclosed that the government has outstanding arrears of GHȼ159,979,200.00 for teacher trainee allowances for the 2023/2024 academic year.

Prof Abdulai therefore suggested a national conversation on the educational interventions to discuss its sustainability and other related factors.

He was speaking at the 15th congregation of the Akatsi College of Education where some 362 students graduated with Bachelor of Education Degree in various disciplines.

“Currently each student receives GHȼ400 for 8 months, amounting to GHȼ220,134,480.00. When you add the outstanding arrears of the 2023/2024 academic to the current academic year, we are looking at a whopping GHȼ380,113,600.00.”

“The irony here is that the Heads of these Colleges of Education do feed our students 3 square meals a day at a rate of GHȼ8.00. I wonder how they perform such magic, yet our students are not happy. Personally, I believe now is the time for us to have a sustainability conversation on this subject”, he said

The Principal of the Akatsi College of Education, Dr. Felix Kwame Kumedzro proposed the upgrading of the College to a fully-fledged University College.

He believes this would position the University to provide enhanced training for students and as well contribute to the rapid development of the Avenor Traditional Area.

“It will interest you to note that Akatsi College of Education is the only College in the southern part of the Volta Region serving about eight (8) districts and municipalities. These include South Tongue, Central Tongue, North Tongue, Akatsi South, Akatsi North, Ketu South and Ketu North, Anlo and Keta Municipalities.

“This is the opportune time for all stakeholders, including the sons and daughters of Avenor Traditional Area to come together to work towards upgrading Akatsi College of Education to a fully-fledged University College of Education. This will ensure sustainable development of the Avenor
Traditional Area”, he said.

Dr. Kumedzro, therefore, entreated the traditional authorities and landowners to make available lands for the expansion and provision of requisite facilities to equip the College with the requirements of a university.

The Pro Vice Chancellor of Akenten Appiah-Menkah University of Skills Training (AAMUSTED), Prof Isaac Boateng, entreated stakeholders to put together policies that would contribute to transforming technical and vocational education in Ghana.

He outlined collaboration between industries, curriculum modernisation, embracing technology and innovation, increasing accessibility, and focusing on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Education and entrepreneurship as key initiatives to enhance technical and vocational education.

“In summary, transforming technical education requires integrating cutting-edge technologies, adapting curricula to meet industry needs, fostering a collaborative environment with industries, and ensuring equitable access to opportunities for all students.

“By focusing on these areas, technical education can be more dynamic, relevant, and impactful in preparing students for the future workforce”, he said.