MTN to sign three-year contract for National Best Teacher Award

Accra, Sept. 29, GNA - Mrs Mawuena Trebarh, Executive Director of the MTN Ghana Foundation, said on Wednesday that the body would sign a three-year contract with the Ministry of Education (MOE) beginning next year, to support the National Best Teacher Awards.

She was speaking at a ceremony at the Ministry when MTN Ghana Foundation presented a 4x4 Pickup vehicle, a laptop computer and printer, all worth GH¢42,000 for the personal use of the First Runner-Up in the 2010 edition of the National Best Teacher Awards. In addition, the winner's school would receive a computer and printer.

The foundation also presented thirty-five 3.5G modems, data SIM cards and GH¢600.00 worth of MTN airtime in support of this year's awards.

Mrs Trebarh said the donation was a bold statement by MTN, (a global telecommunication company) in recognition of the efforts of teachers towards national development, adding that the award ceremony being held on the same day as the World Teachers' Day Celebration highlights the global recognition given to teachers. This year's National Best Teacher Awards will be held on October 5, on the theme: "Recovery Begins with Teachers."

MTN Ghana Foundation has supported the awards from 2007 to 2010 with a total amount of GH¢112,500.

Mrs Trebarh assured the MOE and the government of Ghana of its continued support to the development of education in the country as the foundation prepares to celebrate its third anniversary. Dr Joseph Samuel Annan, Deputy Minister of Education (Tertiary), said the process of the awards was to engender transformation in the educational system.

"We want better teachers, we want committed teachers, and we want teachers who teach with their hearts," he added. Dr Annan commended MTN for supporting the noble cause of motivating teachers as the task is a daunting one.

He said it was not possible to reward all teachers at a go hence the selection process to streamline the procedure. Dr Annan said it would be necessary to spread the net as wide as possible without compromising quality and eroding the noble ideas of the Best Teacher Awards.

The Overall National Best Teacher would receive GH¢60,000 to build a house, a laptop and a computer for his/her school. The 1st Runner-Up would receive a Double-Cabin Pick-Up plus a laptop and printer and computer for his/her school and the 2nd runner-up would receive a saloon car plus a laptop and computer for his/her school. 29 Sept. 10