The Ministry of Education says Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) is working through the Ministry to resolve the feeding funding challenges in colleges of Education.
The Public Relations Officer of the Ministry of Education, Kwasi Kwarteng says the “Ministry of Finance is equally aware of the urgency of the situation and is working very swiftly to resolve all outstanding financial obligations/commitments. The public is hereby assured of our commitment to work with all relevant institutions to resolve any disruption within the food supply chain in our Colleges of Education even ahead of the November 7th ultimatum” the statement issued on October 31, 2022, said.
The Conference of Principals of Colleges of Education (PRINCOF) has written to the government to urgently approve for trainee teachers in the colleges to feed themselves effective November 7, 2022, due to feeding challenges as a result of delayed approval of increment in feeding grants amid skyrocketing prices of food items.
The statement by PRINCOF signed by the Executive Secretary Dr Harriette Naki Amul said suppliers are refusing to credit food items to them due to unstable food prices and nonpayment of arrears.
PRINCOF also expressed worry that the recommendation for the increment of the feeding grant by the government has not been approved.
Last week, Teacher trainees at Mount Mary College of Education in Somanya in the Eastern region agitated over an attempt by management of the college to allegedly embezzle Ghc279,104 supposed to be reimbursed for their feeding grants to them.
The students say they paid for their feeding for four months waiting for the government to reimburse however when the fund was released by the Student Loan Trust Fund for onward disbursement to the students with GHc 784.00 for each student management refused to pay the amount to them
The students numbering 356 said authorities suppose to refund an amount of GHc 279,104.00 but claim they have not received any amount.
However, the students say they have evidence that their colleagues from other colleges i.e Gbewaa College of Education, Bagabaga College of Education, St. Joseph College of Education, and Enchi College of Education to mention but a few have received theirs
The students accused the SRC of conniving with the management on the alleged embezzlement.
They also complained of poor feeding despite the payment by the government through the student loan Trust Fund.
Source: Mybrytnewsroom.com/Obed Ansah
