Deputy Director of the Institute for Education Studies (IFEST), Patrick Apea-Danquah, has expressed opposition to the continued payment of teacher trainee allowances, arguing that the initial purpose of the policy is no longer relevant.
He explained that the allowance was originally introduced to incentivize individuals to pursue teaching at a time when the country faced a shortage of teachers.
However, he asserted that the situation has changed, with an oversupply of trained teachers, many of whom remain unposted for years.
“There is no need to incentivize people to come into teaching anymore. We have more than enough to even be posted,” Apea-Danquah stated.
Speaking on the government’s allocation of GH¢203 million for teacher trainee allowances and GH¢180 million for nursing trainee allowances in the 2025 Budget, he argued that it was unfair to continue the payments while other students in degree and diploma programs struggle to secure employment after graduation.
“If these allowances continue, it may not be fair to those doing degree programs and diplomas who have to find their own jobs,” he emphasized.
Meanwhile, the 2025 Budget also featured key education sector allocations, including the uncapping of the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) to ensure sustainable funding for Free SHS, with GH¢3.5 billion set aside for the program.
Additionally, GH¢499.8 million has been earmarked for the ‘No-Fees-Stress’ initiative, which covers the academic fees of all first-year students in public tertiary institutions.
Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, in presenting the budget, noted that these measures are part of the government’s commitment to strengthening the education sector and easing financial burdens on students.
