Former Public Relations Officer for the Ministry of Education, Lawyer Kwasi Kwarteng has vehemently criticized the government’s decision to abandon the payment of teacher trainee allowances, describing it as illogical and unsustainable.
He argued that the government’s claim that it cannot afford to pay the allowances due to debt is unfounded, particularly when compared to the significant expense of implementing free Senior High School (SHS) education.
Speaking on Wontumi TV with Oheneba Asiedu, Mr. Kwarteng pointed out the glaring inconsistency in the government’s policy, questioning what would happen to students after their first year of free tuition. “If the government cannot afford to pay teacher trainee allowances, how can it sustain the free SHS policy, which benefits over 1.3 million students?” he asked.
The lawyer emphasized that the free SHS policy is a much more expensive endeavor than the teacher trainee allowances.
“We are talking about providing free education, including meals, uniforms, and textbooks, to over 1.3 million students in over 1,000 schools. This is a monumental task that requires significant resources,” he explained.
Kwarteng also highlighted the importance of teacher trainee allowances, which are a vital source of support for students pursuing teaching careers.
“These allowances are not a luxury, but a necessity for many students who depend on them for their survival,” he said.
