The abolition of the teacher trainees’ allowances has increased enrolment into teacher training colleges in the country by 63.8 percent, Mr. Samuel Okudjeto Ablakwa, a Deputy Minister of Education in charge of Tertiary Education, has said.

He explained that, hitherto, admissions into teacher training colleges were restricted by a quota system; therefore, colleges of education were only admitting 40 percent of their capacity in view of the financial considerations by government.

This, according to him, prevented many prospective applicants from getting admissions into teacher training colleges and that affected teacher-deficits in the classrooms.

However, he said, with the scrapping of the teacher trainees’ allowances and the quota system, enrollment into colleges of education had increased from 27,000 to 47,000 in the 38 teacher training colleges in the country since the introduction of the policy in 2012.

Mr. Okudjeto Ablakwa disclosed this at the 70th Anniversary Celebration of Holy Child College of Education in Takoradi.

The event which was held on the theme: “70 Years of Excellence in Catholic Girl-Child Education,” brought together past and present students of the college, as well as academicians, educationalists, traditional rulers, Heads of Department.

Mr. Okudjeto Ablakwa noted that considering the current enrolment figure of 47,000 at the teacher training colleges, the government would have spent ¢282 million on teacher trainees’ allowances per year alone if the allowances regime were still in place since each student received ¢500 a year.

He said, the introduction of the policy had reduced teacher deficits in the classrooms with just 25 percent to be filled across the country.

He, however, assured that the government would continue paying teacher trainees feeding grants and other interventions to make entry into teacher training colleges attractive for the vulnerable to also access higher education.

The Deputy Minister said government would implement pragmatic policies to enhance the quality of teaching and learning in the country and urged stakeholders in the education sector to support a worthy cause.

The Principal of the college, Mrs. Margaret Lemaire, said the College, which was established in 1946, had achieved academic successes and had also inculcated high moral values in the students to offer quality teaching to shape their behaviour and attitudes in the society.

She said through the Ghana Education Trust Fund, the government had implemented a number of projects in the school, including early childhood education centre, computer laboratory, and expansion of the assembly hall.

It has also provided of a 15-seater bus, two storey science blocks and a 1,600-seater auditorium, still under construction.

Mrs. Lemaire appealed to government to provide additional staff accommodation and asphalt the only access road to the school.

The College awarded hard working teaching and non-teaching staff for their meritorious contributions to the school while students that excelled in last academic year were rewarded with prizes.