39 Teachers to be honoured

Thirty-nine teachers, selected across the country from different levels of education as well as non-teaching staff, are billed to be honoured by President John Agyekum Kufuor, come October 7, in recognition of their meritorious services in the advancement of Ghana's human resource base.

The 39 awardees are expected to arrive in Sunyani, the venue of this year's event, on Friday, October 3 ahead of the actual event as part of the activities marking the celebration. They will call on some important personalities in the region and visit places of interest like the famous Kintampo Water Falls and the Fiema Monkey Sanctuary.

Announcing this at a press conference in Sunyani yesterday to officially launch the activities marking this year's National Best Teachers/Workers Award Day scheduled to be held next week in the Brong Ahafo Regional capital, the Deputy Regional Minister, Abraham Kojo Kwakye, said there has been a significant improvement in this year's celebration.

According to him, the National Best Teacher prize has increased from a house worth Gh¢35,000 last year to one worth GH¢50,000 to be built for the grand winner at a place of his choice.

The first and second runners up will receive cars worth $22,000 and $18,000 respectively. Each of the 39 awardees will be presented with a computer, while their respective schools also benefit from a computer each.

Several teachers, including some retired teachers, are all going to be recognised with special awards ranging from double-door refrigerator, TV set, gas cookers and ghetto blasters.

The global theme for this year's celebration is: "Teacher Education Policies,' with a slogan "Teachers Matters."

Mr Kwakye explained that the theme for the celebration emphasises the 'unique contribution of teachers to societal development-highlighting the provision of quality education to ensure that poverty and ignorance are nipped in the bud.'

According to him, the day 'is to serve as a reminder to all stakeholders in the educational enterprise world-wide to go by the contents of the recommendations concerning the status of teachers as adopted by UNESCO and International Labour Organisation in 1996.'

The Brong Ahafo Regional Director of Education, Akua Akubuor Debrah said the scope of this year's award has been widened from seven to thirteen categories of teachers for more people to be recognised for their hard work. The new areas include Special Education, French, ICT and Technical Education.

Addressing some concerns raised by the media on the credibility of the selection process, Mrs Debrah explained that the whole process was genuine and was based on merit and hard work.

The world has set aside October 5 every year to celebrate the World Teachers Day. This is to draw the attention of the public to the role of teachers and their importance in society. Ghana joined the international community in celebrating the Day since 1994.