Veep asks SHS heads to use assembly hall as classrooms

Koforidua, Oct. 5, GNA - Vice President John Dramani Mahama on Tuesday, addressed the 16th National Best Teachers Awards, with the call on heads of senior high schools (SHS) to use assembly and entertainment halls as improvised classrooms for first- year students. He also called on contractors working on the additional classrooms needed to admit the SHS students for the 2010/2012 academic year to expedite action, to facilitate teaching and learning. Vice President Mahama made the call when he addressed the ceremony at the Koforidua, Jackson Park on the theme: '"Recovery Begins with teachers."

He said a total of 214 SHS are being upgraded to meet the classroom and dormitory deficits in the country and called on students to make do with the available facilities until they are completed. The problem was created as a result of the change of the three-year secondary education to four years.

Mr Kingsley Akom, a 40-year Tutor of Kumasi Technical Institute, who was adjudged the overall National Best Teacher, received a cheque for GH¢ 60,000.00 to put up a house in the place of his choice, a personal laptop computer and a set of computer for his school. Mr Samuel Addae, a teacher of Suame Methodist Junior High School in Kumasi, the first runner-up received a double-decker Pick-Up, a personal laptop computer and a set of computer for his school, while Mr Peter Amponsah, a teacher of Akuapanin Primary school in the Brong Ahafo Region received a saloon car, a laptop computer and a set of computer for his school.

Vice President Mahama said government is putting up a number of measures to encourage effective teaching and learning and to improve on the quality of education.

He mentioned some of the interventions as incentives for rural teachers, professional allowance and the provision of attractive salaries and accommodation for teachers. The Vice President promised to strengthen the education sector to serve as the base for the achievement of the country's middle income status by 2015.

"No nation can progress and make a meaningful role if it fails to recognise the leading role of teachers. That is why we are committed to improve the lot of our teachers."

Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, Eastern Regional Minister called for an award in the teaching of HIV/AIDS as a move towards educating the youth to be aware of the virus. He attributed the annual increases in HIV/AIDS infections to the apathy of the people towards the virus, and called on teachers to support health workers to help combat the menace. Daasebere Dr Oti Boateng, Paramount Chief of Juaben, called on the educational authorities to help upgrade the skills of teachers to expose them to current trends in the profession. A total of 84 teachers who won awards in 17 categories were each presented with awards. Mr Akom the National Best Teacher commended government for instituting the award scheme and promised to work harder as an encouragement to other teachers to step up their efforts. There were solidarity messages from Ghana National Association of Teachers and National Graduate Teachers Association among other bodies. 5 Oct. 10