A Deputy Minister of Education, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has announced that it is no longer compulsory for Teacher Trainees to wear uniforms in the nation's 38 public Colleges of Education.

The Deputy Minister made the announcement when he addressed hundreds of student leaders in tertiary institutions across the country at the third annual student leaders' meeting initiated by the Ministry of Education.

The meeting was held at the Conference Room of the National Council for Tertiary Education at the Education Village in East Legon on Friday, April 1, 2016.

He said with the ongoing reforms at the Colleges of Education after the passage of the Colleges of Education Act 2012, Act 847, it was no longer tenable to compel teacher trainees to wear uniforms as though they were secondary school students. He said the Colleges were now full tertiary institutions and needed to be accorded full recognition of their status.

Mr Okudzeto Ablakwa informed the student leaders that talks had already been held with the Principals of Colleges of Education (PRINCOF) and that they are to liaise with their principals to draw up workable programmes for the transition from uniforms in their various colleges.

Hon. Okudzeto Ablakwa emphasised that the era when the colleges were considered glorified secondary schools is over. He said other practices which enforced this notion such as dismissing female students who got pregnant during their studies even when they are married and preventing pregnant students from writing examinations must all now belong to the past.
The Deputy Minister thanked teacher trainees for their understanding and maturity during the implementation of all the reforms which were in the national interest and urged them to maintain their admirable posture and avoid being used as tools in the hands of some opportunistic politicians who are only seeking narrow electoral advantage and not Ghana's advantage.

These directives as part of ongoing reforms at the Colleges of Education were hailed by the Teacher Trainees Association of Ghana (TTAG) at the meeting. They commended Government for what they described as very timely and most appreciated interventions.

The student leaders meeting was also addressed by the Executive Secretary of the National Council for Tertiary Education, Prof. Muhammed Salifu and officials of the Student Loan Trust Fund, the National Accreditation Board and Directors of the Ministry of Education.

Mr Okudzeto Ablakwa also reported on numerous infrastructure projects ongoing at all 38 public Colleges of Education.

He also assured them of receiving their feeding grants this week as cheques were sent to their colleges last Friday.