The Principal of Gbewaa College of Education has disclosed that the school is incurring weekly debt of over GHȻ7,000 cedis to feed teacher trainees as a result of the government’s failure to increase the amount of money provided for feeding teacher trainees.

According to Dr Halidu Musah, food expenses have skyrocketed in recent years due to the rising cost of living, which has impacted the College’s spending.

“Due to the rising cost of living, food prices have skyrocketed resulting in this College incurring a deficit of more than GHȻ7,000) per week to feed you,” he said.

Dr Musah says feeding is therefore a significant challenge for the College. “It would interest you to note that for about five years now, government is yet to increase the amount of money usually allocated to the colleges for the feeding of the teacher trainees.”

The Principal was addressing students during the matriculation ceremony. This year, 300 were admitted out of a total of 2,609 applicants, accounting for only 11.5% of all applicants.

“The total admission this year is made up of 159 males, representing 53% and 141 females, representing 47% (This is higher than last year’s 43% female admission).”

Dr. Musah laments that the situation is now a strain on the College’s finances and will most likely have an impact on the standard of food that would be provided in the future.

As a result, he urged the students to completely cooperate with them as they work to handle the difficult circumstance.

Dr. Musah said the College expects to accomplish a gender policy on entry that aims for a 1:1 ratio, but warns students that, if it is discovered at any point during their studentship, “that you falsified your results for admission, you shall be dismissed without delay.”

The Principal also encouraged students to be of good behavior, which is especially essential for them as future teachers and role models for students who will be entrusted to them during their field experience and after training.

“You must therefore strive to always live above board in what you do and say. Endeavour at all times to follow the approved channels of communication to seek redress of any issue. Be reminded that the College does not condone bad behavior. Hence, those found culpable of misbehaviour and insubordination will be sanctioned accordingly,” he added.