The demonstration, which began around 9:00 a.m. is in protest of a number of unresolved grievances that trainees say have been ignored by the college administration for several semesters.
Al-Faruq College of Education, located in Wenchi in the Bole district, is Ghana's first Islamic college of education.
Established in 1991 by the Iqra Foundation Services as an Orphanage, the institution was originally a private initiative aimed at promoting secular and Islamic education to underserved communities, particularly in Zongo areas.
It became a public college in 2016 and is currently affiliated with the University for Development Studies.
The college offers Bachelor of Education programmes in Early Childhood, Primary, and Arabic Education, and has played a pioneering role in integrating Islamic values with modern teacher training.
Despite its mission to nurture morally upright and transformational educators, trainees say the current conditions on campus fall short of expectations.
Among the key issues raised by the protesting students are:
Table of Contents
Unjustified SRC Dues Without Celebration Rights
Trainees allege that they are required to pay a Students' Representative Council (SRC) semester, yet are consistently denied the opportunity to celebrate their week.
According to the student leaders, this semester's celebration was initially approved but was abruptly suspended by the principal last week, prompting today's protest.
Delayed Release of Academic Results
Many trainees report that their semester results have not been released, causing anxiety and uncertainty about their academic progression.
Neglected Infrastructure and Maintenance
The trainees highlight the poor condition of electrical sockets in hostels, which were only repaired after repeated complaints.
They argue that such basic maintenance should not require confrontation.
Poor Quality of Food Served on Campus
According to the students, the quality and nutritional value of meals provided to them are below substandard, with many expressing dissatisfactions over what they receive despite paying full fees.
Inconsistent Water Supply
Some claim that water shortages are frequent, leaving them unable to bathe or maintain hygiene during critical periods.
Lack of Transparency in Fee Structure
According to the trainees, a major point of contention is the college's refusal to provide a detailed breakdown of the semester fees.
The students say they have requested this for years without success. According to them, this semester, they paid GH₵ 1,130.00, an amount they argue is disproportionately high compared to other colleges of education in Ghana, where some students reportedly paid nothing or significantly less.
Unfair Semester-Based Billing
The trainees insist that teacher trainees are supposed to pay fees annually, not per semester.
They believe the college's billing system is exploitative and lacks justification.
In a social media comment sighted by wassaconnect on the matter, one student stated:
"Each semester we pay huge fees. We even asked for a breakdown but they refused. We think it's time to fight for our rights."
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