The General Secretary of the Principals of Colleges of Education (PRINCOF), Dr. Samuel Addae-Boateng, has justified the controversial decision to reduce daily meals for teacher trainees from three to one, insisting that most trainees are not poor and can afford to feed themselves.
Speaking on Oyerepa Breakfast Time with Kwesi Parker-Wilson, Dr. Addae-Boateng stated that the lifestyle and possessions of many trainees suggest that they are well-supported and financially capable of covering their own meals, beyond what the government can provide.
“If you come to the colleges, there are some phones that the students buy which I, as a principal, can’t afford. They wear expensive clothes and footwear, which clearly shows they’re not poor,” he said.
According to him, the argument that limiting students to one meal a day will discourage enrollment is exaggerated and misleading. “Whoever is providing for them can assist them to feed themselves if we give them one meal a day. The idea that it will deter them from schooling is untrue,” he added.
He acknowledged that a few students might face challenges, but he believes it won’t be enough to stop them from pursuing their education. “If a student can afford an iPhone 16, then that student can afford food too,” he noted.
His comments come in the wake of PRINCOF’s official announcement that all 47 public Colleges of Education in Ghana will stop offering three meals a day due to financial constraints.
“After extensive consultations across all 47 public Colleges of Education, PRINCOF has concluded that it is no longer viable to continue providing three meals a day on the current GH¢8.00 daily allocation.
As a result, beginning Monday, 16 June 2025, all teacher trainees residing on campus will receive only one hot meal daily, “the statement read.
Source: Oyerepafmonline.com/Joseph Marfo
