MoE Reacts To Food Shortage In Colleges Of Education

The Ministry of Education says it is working to resolve its outstanding financial obligations to Colleges of Education.

According to the Ministry, this is to help colleges fend for trainee teachers.

This is according to the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Ministry, Mr Kwasi Kwarteng.

In a Facebook on Monday, he explained that Ministry is working to ensure there is no disruptions in the supply of food to the institutions.

“MoE is aware of the urgency of the situation and is  working with the Ministry of Finance to swiftly resolve all outstanding obligations/commitments to the Colleges of Education.

“The public is further assured of our commitment to address disruptions within the food supply chain ahead of the November 7th ultimatum,” he said.

His assurance comes on the back of a letter by the Conference of Principals of Colleges of Education (PRINCOF) seeking to let students cater for themselves from November 7.

In a letter addressed to the Education Minister, they sought the approval of the Ministry to allow the students to fend for themselves, starting November 7.

“Principals of Colleges of Education have been trying really very hard to feed trainee teachers in recent times as a result of current market trends.

“Prices of food items have shot up astronomically and food suppliers have refused to supply any food items to colleges because of the indebtedness to these suppliers,” the letter dated October 31 noted.

The Conference of Principals of the colleges (PRINCOF) says the situation has been compounded by the inability of government to increase feeding grants to the schools.

In a letter addressed to the Education Minister, they sought the approval of the Ministry to allow the students to fend for themselves, starting November 7.

“Principals of Colleges of Education have been trying really very hard to feed trainee teachers in recent times as a result of current market trends.

“Prices of food items have shot up astronomically and food suppliers have refused to supply any food items to colleges because of the indebtedness to these suppliers,” the letter dated October 31 noted.

According to the Principals, a request for an upward review of the feeding grant has not been approved and this is making it increasingly difficult for them to provide three meals a day to the students at ¢6.50, a reason they are requesting the students fend for themselves.

“In the light of the above, it is the wish of PRINCOF to be given permission to ask students to start fending for themselves. This is to ensure that the already stretched academic year is not disrupted,” they pleaded.