ACCRA 

The post “A” level Institution students in the Diploma the Awarding Ministry of Education, have called on the government to increase the inadequate bursary granted them to meet the full cost of their training in order to alleviate their sufferings. 

This was contained in a statement signed by representatives of the students in the Diploma Awarding Institutions under the Ministry of Education. 

According to the statement, the students of the above institutions which include the Advanced Training College, Specialist Training College, National Academy of Music, St. Andrews College, Advanced Technical Teachers College and the School of Languages expressed dissatisfaction on the government’s decision to raise the ceiling of loans only to the undergraduate and postgraduate students of the Universities, whereas the government is conscious cf the fact that the cost of higher education in the country is so high that the economy in the expenditure was necessary to all students of higher education.

They also pointed out that a monthly allowance of C62.50 to which they are to feed themselves and in addition purchase books as well as other miscellaneous expenses is not even enough to meet the cost of food which is C5.00 a day at the school cafeteria.

They noted that, they are able to survive through the terms by eating from the school cafeteria on credit basis, while most of them forgo their lessons and travel to their hometowns or to their parents for money.

The students added that, as the situation remained unchanged, they have incurred huge sums of debt on their shoulders and there is a need for the government to aid them for their services would be of use to the nation in future.