NATIONAL BEST TEACHER AWARD SCHEME –HISTORY AND AWARD PROCESS

BACKGROUND

The general economic decline in the country in the early 1970’s led to an exodus trained teachers in our educational system. This led to a decline in educational standards. More importantly, it caused considerable havoc to the moral of teachers in general, including those who had moral courage and sense o f loyalty to remain on the job. The low level of teacher moral is direct cause of the low level of pupil’s achievement.

In order to vitalize and enrich quality aspects of education, the then government introduced the Educational Reform Programme in the country in 1987. The Educational Reform Programme has bought in its wake increased access to education, refurbished schools and hundreds of new ones built , increased flow of books, equipment and material  and efforts are daily being made to improve the quality and relevance of Education. But teachers must be present to make use of the facilities and resources provided to the advantage of the learner.

Government has always realized that the teachers’ role in the ongoing reforms need to be appreciated and recognized to restore the respect the profession should enjoy and to remove some of the frustrations which come the way of teachers.

Indeed Government realizes that the implementation of Educational  Reforms can only happen in the classroom. Teachers have therefore been recognized as the most important resources in the educational programmes and their roles have been recognizes with the introduction in 1995 of the Best Teacher Award Scheme.

The new Educational Reform which took off last month (september) requires of members of the teaching profession more commitment, dedication and focused outlook to ensure its success. in turn, Government too hast to put in place packages of motivation as stimulants for the new-look teachers in the New Educational Reform.

OBJECTIVES OF THE SCHEME
The major objective of the scheme is further motivate teachers for higher performance and assist to restore the respect the profession should enjoy. It further aims at retaining qualified teachers and improving their performance and overall effectiveness in the classroom. There is a 17-member National Planning Committee with the Deputy Minister of Education in charge of Basic Education at any one time as the Chairman.

ELIGIBILITY
All classroom teachers in Primary schools, Junior Secondary Schools, Senior Secondary Schools, Special Education, Technical Colleges in both public and private institutions are eligible for awards. Non-teaching staff of the Ghana Education Service in all offices and Institutions (District, Regional and Headquaters) are eligible.

SELECTION PROCESS
Circuit supervisors, who have managerial supervision of a number of schools, shortlist the names of outstanding teachers in their circuit during their normal work inspection of schools. These names are then sent to the Directors of Education in the districts. Heads of institutions also recommend outstanding teachers in their institutions to the Directors of Education in their district. Names of all shortlisted teachers are sent to district Directors by the end of April each year.

CRITIREA FOR SELECTION OF AWARD WINNERS

This category of assessment includes academic potentialities, quality of teaching, teacher’s knowledge of subject matter, initiative and effective pedagogic approach to teaching.

Include the social, moral, emotional and spiritual characteristics of the teacher that give a positive manifestation of his role as a teacher and a model personality to the youth. His/her work experience in rural setting is added advantage. Also his/ her attitude towards children especially disadvantaged children such as orphans and those from broken homes.

Takes into account teacher’s participation in and contribution to the social, educational, economic, agricultural and moral life development of the local community in particular and the larger community in general.

Other factors are: teachers should:

Have taught for minimum of five years;
Have shown innovativeness and creativity in the teaching and learning process;
Have made efforts to upgrade their academic and professional qualifications;
Have made significant impact in the community and are looked upon as opinion leaders;
Be well informed especially about educational policies and issues;
Be members of subject associations.

This year’s Edition, the 13th since the institution of the scheme has further seen an enhanced package of the Awards. The number of categories has also increased from seven (7) to twelve (12). All first category winners will be awarded with complete computers with accessories in addition to the traditional items (ie fridges, or TV sets).

SELECTION STEPS
Identification ,recommendation and selection of candidates at school and Circuit Level.

Staff at the Best Teacher Award Unit - Ghana Education Service (GES)

1.       Captain S. A. Tengabo            -        Ag. National Co-ordinator
2.       Ms. Faustina Daniels               -        Stenographer Secretary
3.       Mr. W. K. Agudzi                    -        Senior Accountant
4.       Mrs. Elizabeth Quarmyne       -        Basic Education Division, GES       

National and Regional Achievers

2007 BEST TEACHER AWARD SCHEME- REGIONAL LEVEL

2007 BEST TEACHER AWARD SCHEME- NATIONAL LEVEL

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