In a significant development for teacher trainees, the Students Loan Trust Fund (SLTF) has announced firm plans to clear all outstanding allowance arrears and overhaul the much-criticised payment system. This move promises to bring long-awaited financial relief to thousands of trainees across the Colleges of Education in Ghana.
According to the SLTF, the outstanding arrears are slated for disbursement imminently, with payments expected to hit accounts "either this week or next week." This announcement brings to a hopeful close a period of uncertainty and financial strain for many beneficiaries.
This payment will specifically cover just one month of arrears and will be targeted at Teacher Trainees in levels L200, L300, L400, and the 2025 cohort for arrears in 2024/2025 academic year. Trainees within these categories are urged to anticipate the disbursement in the coming days. However, payment will be made through the usual E-Zwich method but substitute payments mode will change.
End of an Era: E-Zwich System to Be Replaced
In a parallel move welcomed by many, the SLTF confirmed the impending phase-out of the E-Zwich payment platform, a system frequently criticised for its accessibility challenges, technical hitches, and inconvenience. In its place, the Fund will introduce a more modern and widely accessible mobile money-based platform.
This transition is expected to streamline the payment process, ensuring faster, more reliable, and easier access to funds for trainees, especially those in remote areas.
A Cautious Welcome
While the announcement has been met with a sense of relief, many teacher trainees and stakeholder unions are adopting a "wait-and-see" approach, given past delays. The SLTF’s assurance is a positive step, but its execution will be closely watched.
"Hopefully, this promise materialises on time. Clearing the arrears and changing the difficult payment system are two critical demands we have had for a long time. We look forward to receiving the alerts as stated," commented a Level 300 trainee from St. Francis College of Education.
All eyes are now on the SLTF to fulfil this pledge within the stated timeline and to seamlessly execute the transition to the new mobile money platform.
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