The Executive Director for the Institute of Education Studies (IFEST), Dr. Peter Anti says government should channel teacher trainee allowances into solving issues of infrastructure deficits that have become typical of the various colleges of Education in the country.
According to him, although students of the colleges of education and the minister of education did not agree with his assertion during a meeting, he is certain that it is the way to go.
“One of the ways that we’ll be able to deal with this problem of infrastructure deficits in our colleges of education would be to ensure we swap the monies that we’re using to give to these students as allowances and channel them into the provision of infrastructure in these colleges,” he said on JoyNews’ AM show on Monday.
He notes that the difficulty in making this happen is the unwillingness of government to commit itself to the course.
Explaining further, Dr. Anti said given that the students are being trained to teach in the classrooms later, it has become imperative to create a conducive environment for studies by providing the required facilities in their right proportions. This, he said would enable the students to understand the concepts they are being taught and be able to make positive impacts when they are in the classrooms.
According to the expert, his proposal is achievable should the government be committed and be subjected to rigorous accountability in case it finally heeds his call.
Meanwhile, he has also added that government’s lack of efficient spending has caused the nationwide infrastructure deficits on various education campuses, stating that it would pose a bigger problem in the training of teachers should government not act quickly.
Ghana’s education sector has been plagued with numerous challenges with the most significant one presently being infrastructure deficits. In the lower levels such as the Junior and Senior High Schools, students are often seen studying under trees and dilapidated buildings. The situation has made government schools unappealing to many people including professional teachers.
The situation has been linked to low budgetary allocation to the education sector.
Some experts have however also warned that governments should desist from playing politics with the sector, in that it could plunge it into great disrepute and a devastating state.
Source: Dehotpress
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