The Conference of Principals of Colleges of Education (PRINCOF) has declared a fundamental shift in the current feeding system for teacher trainees in public colleges of education, citing financial constraints and the unsustainable nature of the current model.
On Monday, 16 June 2025, PRINCOF issued a statement to the leadership of the Teacher Trainees Association of Ghana (TTAG) expressing gratitude for the ongoing partnership and acknowledging the government’s commitment to the full feeding grant of GH¢400 per month allocated to each trainee.
According to PRINCOF and TTAG’s agreement, GH¢196 (equal to GH¢8.00 per day) is withheld monthly from this amount for student meals.
Despite repeated pleas over the years, PRINCOF stated that efforts to gain TTAG support for an increase in the daily feeding rate had failed.
“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,” according to the statement.
As a result, beginning Monday, June 16, 2025, all teacher trainees who live on campus will only receive one hot meal per day.
PRINCOF noted that growing food prices and accompanying logistics expenses have rendered the three-meal-per-day plan financially unsustainable, putting significant strain on college budgets.
“While we acknowledge the importance of adequate nutrition to trainee welfare and academic performance, we must also ensure that feeding arrangements are realistic and within the financial capacity of our institutions,” a statement read.
PRINCOF stressed that the decision was not taken lightly and was intended to protect important services while also maintaining the long-term viability of colleges of education.
The body restated its commitment to working together with TTAG, the Ministry of Education, the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), and other stakeholders to find long-term solutions to trainee welfare.
“We appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we implement this adjustment in the best interest of the colleges and the trainees we serve,” the group said.
