Accra, Aug. 17, GNA - Over GH=A2 300,000 (three billion cedis) has been earmarked for the 2007 Best Teacher Award, which is the 13th edition, with the ultimate prize being a house worth GH=A2 35,000, (350 million cedis).

The second and third prize winners would take home a car each worth GH=A2 23,000 (230 million cedis) and GH=A2 22,500, (225 million cedis) respectively.

In addition to the prizes the award winners would each be presented with a computer with accessories.

Professor Dominic Fobih, Minister of Education, Science and Sports, launching this year's Scheme in Accra, said the programme would be hosted in Tamale in the Northern Region. He said the day had been planned to coincide with World Teachers Day, which falls on October 5.

The day is under the theme: "Quality Teachers for Quality Education: Teacher Participation in the New Education Reform." Prof. Fobih said the number of award winning categories had been increased to 12 with a corresponding number of award winners increasing from 42 last year to 62 this year.

"Additionally, as a variation from the routine of giving fridges and television sets to award winners, the Committee intends to give a computer with its full complement of accessories to the first position winners in each of the 12 categories and this calls for additional funds," he said.

The new categories added are French and ICT Education. Prof. Fobih therefore appealed to the traditional sponsors, corporate bodies, the public and all who had a stake in education to donate generously towards the successful celebration of the programme. He expressed the hope that the organizers of the programme had put the necessary machinery in motion to facilitate the selection of the cream of teachers who really merited recognition and the prize. Prof. Fobih said no matter the quality and quantity of infrastructure, the supply of logistics and equipment, the teacher always took the centre stage in translating all the facilities and resources into quality educational delivery to the benefit of both the learner and society.

"I wish therefore to entreat teachers to have a re-look at their work ethics."

Prof. Fobih entreated the teachers to re-dedicate their efforts in instructions delivery and management skills at all level so as to ensure a successful implementation of the new education reforms expected to commence this September.

The Greater Accra Regional Minister, Sheikh Ibrahim C. Quaye, said the Award scheme was instituted primarily to provide encouragement and motivation for teachers to enable them to give of their best and help raise the standard of education.

Mr. Samuel Bannerman-Mensah, Director-General, Ghana Education Service, appealed to the Scheme to consider adding the "Best School" to the scheme.

The Best Teacher Award scheme started in 1995 with a modest beginning of a handshake and a prize of 500,000 cedis. The award has grown over the years to what it is presently, consisting of an ultimate prize of a house. 17 Aug. 07