TTAG Pushes for Policy-Practice Alignment in Colleges of Education in Ghana.

The Teacher Trainees’ Association of Ghana (TTAG) on Saturday, November 2, 2024, convened its 28th Annual General Assembly (AGM) highlighting the need for stakeholder collaboration to bridge the gap between educational policies and practical implementation in teacher training institutions.

The event, held at the Tamale College of Education (TACE), was attended by delegates from all 5 sectors of the association; Volta, ATTRICONS, ASHBA, EGA and WEC.

It was chaired by the Chief of Choggu Traditional Area Naa Alhaji Alhassan Mahamudu (II) and honored by various stakeholders including the National Teaching Council (NTC), Transforming Teacher Education and Learning (T-TEL) among others.

The leadership of TTAG expressed concern over CETAG (College of Education Teachers Association of Ghana) strike and financial challenges on its members across the various campuses. Through its national president, Mr. Razak Soale, the association expressed concerns over the negative impact of the recent CETAG strike’s on trainee learning. He appealed to the government to swiftly address CETAG’s demands to prevent further disruptions and ensure a seamless learning experience for trainees.

Regarding financial challenges, Mr. Soale announced a revised feeding component deduction plan, which will now only apply to days spent on campus, resulting in an increased monthly take-home allowance of GHS133.25 per student.

Additionally, TTAG has submitted a proposal to the Ministries of Finance and Education seeking a raise in trainees’ allowance from GHS400 to GHS800. The association hopes for a timely response to alleviate the financial burden on trainees.

The president, expressed pride in TTAG’s progress and the efforts of past leaders, recognizing the event as a testament to the association’s commitment over the years.

He outlined recent actions taken to advance the welfare of trainees, including negotiations with the State Insurance Company (SIC) Financial Services to ensure timely access to the TTAG Provident Fund, which supports trainees’ post-graduation.

He assured trainees that TTAG was working tirelessly and will ensure that trainees’ lives continue to improve. He added that legal action has been taken to recover funds from a producer who breached a contract to manufacture the association’s branded cloth, ensuring accountability and prudent fund management.

In his speech, the Guest speaker and Principal of Tamale College of Education, Dr. Sulemana Iddrisu, called for a sturdier alignment between policy and the realities of teacher trainees.

He emphasized that effective educational policy must be grounded in the practical needs of those it serves, and he encouraged continuous collaboration among stakeholders to ensure that government policies truly address challenges within Colleges of Education

Dr. Sulemana commended TTAG for its dedication to advocating for trainees and reiterated the need for ongoing dialogue between policymakers, training institutions, and trainees to foster meaningful change.

“It challenges us to look beyond short-term solutions and instead focus on sustainable, impactful initiatives that connect policies with realities teachers face in classrooms,” Dr. Sulemana said.

Dr. Sulemana called for increased support and resources for CoEs to improve infrastructure, financial stability, and learning opportunities for trainees.

“Long-term planning in teacher education means investing in infrastructure, curriculum reforms and research that empower both trainees and practicing teachers. It also requires commitment from government, educational institutions and stakeholders to ensure our training programs are relevant, future-focus and aligned with global educational trends” he noted.

On his part, the Acting Director of Research at the National Teaching Council (NTC), Mr. Bernard Kugg, acknowledged the critical role played by TTAG in supporting trainees and emphasized the commitment by the NTC to upholding high teaching standards in Ghana.

Mr. Kugg revealed that there was an ongoing initiative to streamline the Ghana Teacher Licensure Examination (GTLE) process and provide resources for continuous professional development, aimed at equipping trainees with the skills needed for effective teaching.

He encouraged trainees to view the licensure process as a stepping stone towards professional growth, noting that the council is actively working to make the transition from college to professional teaching smoother.

He added that NTC remains open to addressing any challenges trainees encounter and is committed to continuous improvement of teacher training standards.

In his closing remarks, the Chief of Choggu and Chairman of the event, Naa Alhaji Alhassan Mahamudu (II), encouraged the youth to take their education seriously.

He also called on the youth not to allow themselves to be used by politicians to torment troubles before, during and after the 2024 general elections.