Ghana’s educational landscape has undergone significant transformations since independence, with teacher training playing a critical role in shaping educational quality.
Initially, training colleges operated in affiliation with secondary schools, but as the demand for qualified teachers surged in the 1960s, the government introduced several measures to boost enrolment, including the teacher trainee allowance.
In recent years, however, the allowance has become a contentious political issue, sparking debates over its necessity and potential electoral motivations.
The policy was abolished in 2014 by the NDC and reintroduced in 2017 by the NPP, reflecting shifts in political priorities.
While proponents argue that the allowance incentivizes teacher enrollment, data suggests that admissions continued to rise even after its cancellation, calling into question its effectiveness as a recruitment strategy.
Infrastructure Deficits in Basic Education
Beyond the debate on allowances, Ghana’s basic education sector faces critical infrastructure challenges. Schools across the country grapple with a shortage of desks, deteriorating buildings, and inadequate learning materials.
Colleges of education, which are responsible for training future teachers, also suffer from limited facilities, affecting the quality of education and professional development.
In 2022, GH¢169.9 million was allocated to teacher trainee allowances—funds that could have been redirected toward improving educational infrastructure.
A thorough cost-benefit analysis is needed to determine whether investing in school facilities and expanding teacher recruitment would yield greater long-term benefits than maintaining the allowance.
Redirecting these funds could help alleviate the infrastructural crisis in basic education and enhance the overall learning environment for both teachers and students.
By: J.W Quarm.
