Feeding Cutback: Teacher Trainees to Receive One Meal a Day Due to Budget Constraints
Colleges of Education to Provide One Hot Meal Daily for Teacher Trainees Starting June 16
The Conference of Principals of Colleges of Education (PRINCOF) has announced a significant change in the feeding arrangements for teacher trainees across Ghana. Starting Monday, June 16, 2025, all public Colleges of Education will provide trainees with only one hot meal per day due to financial constraints.
In an official statement, PRINCOF explained that while the importance of proper nutrition for student welfare and academic performance is fully recognized, the current financial realities make it unsustainable to continue offering three meals daily.
“We understand the need for adequate nutrition for our trainees, but we must also work within our means to ensure sustainability,” the statement read.
The decision follows ongoing financial challenges faced by the colleges, despite the government’s continued commitment to a GH¢400 monthly feeding grant per trainee. According to PRINCOF, GH¢196 of this amount — roughly GH¢8.00 per day — is allocated specifically for meals, based on a prior agreement between PRINCOF and the Teacher Trainees Association of Ghana (TTAG).
Following consultations with all 47 public Colleges of Education, PRINCOF determined that it is no longer viable to provide three meals a day within the GH¢8.00 budget.
PRINCOF emphasized that the move to reduce daily meals was a difficult but necessary decision aimed at preserving the overall quality of services and maintaining the long-term viability of the Colleges of Education.
The organization expressed appreciation to TTAG for its continued collaboration and reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with key stakeholders — including the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) — to explore sustainable solutions to student welfare challenges.
As this new feeding policy takes effect, PRINCOF assured the public and trainees that it remains focused on maintaining quality teacher education and supporting student needs within the limits of available resources.
