Teacher trainees across the country have issued an urgent call to the government and the relevant authorities for the immediate disbursement of their allowances, which have remained unpaid for over six months.
This comes despite assurances from the Minister of Finance during the mid-year budget review presentation that allowance payments have been made.
Students say they are yet to receive a pesewa from the Students Loan Trust Fund (SLTF), the agency responsible for disbursing the allowances.
According to them, the prolonged delay, coupled with a lack of official updates, has plunged many into financial hardship, raising serious concerns over transparency and accountability.
The situation has prompted a strong response from a group call Voice of Teacher Trainees’ Association of Ghana (VOTTAOG).
In a letter dated July 31, 2025, the group addressed their President ( TTAG), Master Divine Mabengban and other key government leaders, outlining the struggles faced by teacher trainees and the growing frustration over unfulfilled promises.
The group expressed dismay at the lack of coordination between the Ministry of Finance and SLTF, and called for immediate action.
The letter highlighted the immense toll the delay has taken on trainees. According to them, many trainees have been forced to take on informal jobs, borrow money, or cut back on basic necessities.
These sacrifices, they stated, have had a direct impact on their academic performance and mental well-being.
VOTTAOG cited the specific case of final-year students who, despite their consistent follow-ups and correction submissions to SLTF coordinators, have not received their allowances since their first year of study.
The group described the situation as “unacceptable,” citing the intense anxiety and emotional strain placed on students trying to complete their academic programmes.
Key Issues Raised in the Letter
- Delayed Payments: Many teacher trainees remain unpaid, with no official explanation from SLTF.
- Non-payment Since Level 100: Some final-year students continue to suffer from unresolved payment issues that date back years.
- Unfair Deductions: Some Level 400 trainees report that their allowances—due during their internship period—have been subjected to feeding deductions, despite not receiving institutional meals.
- Misinformation and Lack of Transparency: Public declarations of allowance payments are not aligning with on-the-ground realities, leading to widespread confusion and mistrust.
- Inaccurate Recording of Deaths: Colleges have reportedly misclassified some students as deceased, a deeply alarming error that has caused distress and disrupted student records.
Questions from Trainees
The group and its members are also seeking clarity on several troubling matters from their President and the government:
- Why are nursing trainees reportedly receiving their allowances more promptly than teacher trainees?
- If funds have indeed been released, what is causing the delay in actual disbursement?
- What mechanisms are in place to ensure transparency and accountability in SLTF’s operations?
- Why are final-year students still unpaid, and what efforts are being made to rectify their long-standing cases?
- What steps are being taken to investigate and resolve the erroneous death record entries affecting students?
Demands from VOTTAOG
VOTTAOG is calling for:
- Immediate disbursement of all outstanding allowances to teacher trainees.
- Transparent communication channels between SLTF and trainees, including routine updates on the status of payments.
- A full investigation into both the delay in payments and any inappropriate deductions made to Level 400 trainees.
- An official audit and correction of inaccurate death records within the Colleges of Education.
- Engagement with the Conference of Principals of Colleges of Education (PRINCOF) to process refunds for unjust feeding deductions.
The group has urged swift and transparent intervention from their President (TTAG), the Ministry of Finance and SLTF, warning that the current trajectory could have long-term implications for teacher training enrollment, morale, and public confidence.
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