The future of teacher and nursing trainee allowances in Ghana has once again taken center stage, with Education Specialist Divine Kpe arguing that the policy is unnecessary and limits college admissions.
Speaking on ABC IN THE MORNING on ABC News GH on February 6, Kpe stated:
“The answer is no, we do not need to maintain allowances to attract people into colleges of education.”
According to him, when the allowances were scrapped during Mahama’s first administration, admission into colleges of education actually surged, proving that financial incentives were not the primary motivator for enrollment.
Government Quota Restrictions Stifling Admissions?
Kpe explained that quota restrictions exist only because of the government’s commitment to paying allowances.
“Some of the colleges of education can still admit more than their current capacity, but there is a quota restriction because the government has to pay them.”
He further elaborated that if the government were to remove the allowances permanently, colleges would be able to admit students to their full capacity without quota restriction concerns.
“When it was removed in Mahama’s first phase, colleges were able to admit to their capacity, and their numbers actually surged.”
Allowance Debate Sparks Political Firestorm
This debate comes at a time when reports suggest the government may scrap trainee allowances in favor of an enhanced student loan scheme.
The Daily Graphic reported on February 4, 2025, that the Minister of Education, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, hinted at this policy shift, though the Ministry of Education has since debunked the claims.
While some believe that allowances ease financial burdens and incentivize young people to join the teaching and nursing professions, others, like Divine Kpe, insist that abolishing them will free up the education sector to expand and admit more students.
With national discussions ongoing, all eyes are on the government’s next move regarding this controversial policy.
Ruth Sekyi – ABC News GH
