Assembly sponsors teacher trainee education

Juaso (Ash), Jan 31, GNA - The Asante-Akim South District Assembly on Friday paid a total of 17 million cedis to 34 second-year teacher trainees as part of its sponsorship package for their education. The assembly offers sponsorship to teacher trainees in various colleges, who after completion of their course, are expected to take up teaching appointment in the district.

Dr Lord Justice Gyamfi-Fenteng, the District Chief Executive, made the presentation at a meeting of the assembly at Juaso. He said the assembly had also provided scholarships to pupils and students in secondary and tertiary institutions, including those receiving nursing training, youth leadership training and the physically challenged.

Dr Gyamfi-Fenteng explained that the Assembly's share of the common fund was the sole source of funding and called for other ways of raising funds to sustain the sponsorship programme.

He said since 2001, a total of 332.9 million cedis had been disbursed to 311 students at various training institutions under the programme.

Miss Theresa Owusu-Nyarko, District Director of Education, said the district education directorate would ensure that beneficiary trainees are posted to the district after completion of their courses, adding that defaulters would be made to pay three times the amount spent on them.