PAC Orders Wiawso College of Education to Recover Over GH¢380,000 in Student Debts

Atwima Nwabiagya South MP, Shirley Kyei

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has instructed Wiawso College of Education to develop more effective and creative approaches to recover GH¢380,315.23 in outstanding student arrears, a large portion of which is owed by former students.

This directive comes after revelations in the Auditor-General’s report, which highlighted that a total of 1,016 students owe the institution GH¢587,397.13 in unpaid fees. Notably, 510 graduates are responsible for GH¢488,085.85 of the total debt.

During a committee sitting held in Kumasi, the college’s management disclosed that it has managed to recover GH¢207,081.90 so far—an amount that represents less than half of the total arrears.

The institution explained that much of the outstanding debt is linked to the Untrained Teachers Diploma in Basic Education (UTDBE) programme. According to the college, some individuals who benefited from the programme completed their studies but neither paid their fees nor returned to collect their certificates.

Management further noted that it has been using the withholding of certificates as a strategy to compel payment. However, it admitted that this method has not been very effective.

The Committee, however, expressed dissatisfaction with this approach, stressing the need for more proactive recovery measures. Shirley Kyei, a member of the Committee and Member of Parliament for Atwima Nwabiagya South, emphasised that waiting for graduates to return for their certificates is not a sufficient strategy.

She pointed out that since many of the defaulters are practicing teachers already employed and receiving salaries, there should be practical ways to track and recover the outstanding amounts.