The Teacher Trainees’ Association of Ghana (TTAG) has begun formal negotiations with the Principals of Colleges of Education (PRINCOF) to abolish the widely criticised “one hot meal” policy, with plans to implement the change in the upcoming semester.
The President of the association, Nanija Divine, has confirmed the move, describing the policy as a persistent source of dissatisfaction among trainees nationwide.
According to Divine, the association is actively engaging PRINCOF to advocate for a more flexible and student-centred feeding arrangement.
PRINCOF’s Justification for the Policy
The “one hot meal” policy was introduced earlier this year by PRINCOF in response to rising food prices and economic pressures.
According to PRINCOF, the GH¢8.00 daily feeding allocation provided by the government is no longer sufficient to cater for three square meals per trainee, which had previously been the norm.
In their assessment, the cost of goods and services has increased significantly, making it financially burdensome to maintain the original feeding structure.
As a result, PRINCOF concluded that colleges could only afford to provide one hot meal per day under the current budget.
PRINCOF further stated that if trainees wish to return to the three-meal-per-day arrangement, two options must be considered: either the government increases the feeding component of the allowance, or trainees agree to sacrifice more of their allowance to cover the full cost of feeding.
Trainees Raise Concerns Over Quality and Autonomy
Despite PRINCOF’s explanation, the policy has faced strong backlash from students across various colleges.
Trainees have complained about the quality, quantity, and lack of variety in the said one hot meal served.
Many argue that the policy limits their dietary choices and forces them to accept a single meal option regardless of personal preferences or health needs.
Additionally, some trainees have expressed frustration over the automatic deduction of the meal costs from their allowances- saying that the feeding should be scrapped so they can manage their own allowances.
According to them, the automatic deduction restricts their financial independence and leaves them with little room to manage their own feeding expenses.
Engagement with Stakeholders
However, the leadership of TTAG has assured trainees that it is in active consultation with PRINCOF and other relevant stakeholders to ensure that the best possible conclusion is reached in the interest of students.
The association has pledged to prioritise trainee welfare throughout the negotiation process.
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