Akatsi, March 01, GNA-Mr. Peter Nortsu-Kotoe, Akatsi District Chief Executive (DCE), has suggested the institution of licensing for professional teachers to ensure dedication among them as done in the United States of America.

He said besides the certificates of training, teachers should be made to meet certain standards before securing licenses, which would be renewable yearly based on good performance and conduct. Mr. Nortsu-Kotoe, himself a professional teacher, was speaking at 2009 Akatsi District Best Teacher/Worker Awards Day on Thursday at Akatsi under the theme: "For Akatsi to Develop-Invest in Education". Fifteen teachers and staff of offices received awards in the form of refrigerators, roofing sheets and TV sets worth 10,000 cedis funded by the Assembly.

"I would be happy seeing the Teacher licensing system which operates in the US introduced in Ghana to increase teacher commitment and discipline," he stated.

The DCE said the Assembly was committed to funding educational programmes in the area. He commended the award winners and urged others to work harder to be winners next time.

Mr. Nortsu-Kotoe said quality teaching and learning needed to be stepped up in line with government's interest in human development. He urged teachers in the district to help eliminate some of the challenges facing the educational sector in the area leading to poor performance in schools. Miss Rose Dossou of Wlitey RC Primary and Paulina Parku of Akatsi Number Two Junior High School, received refrigerators for coming first at the primary and JHS level respectively. Mr. Fredson Laryea, Samuel Dzakpasu, Eric Torsoo and Raphael Dzaka, all teachers of Ave Senior High School at Dakpa, received refrigerators for their hard work in the teaching of science, French, mathematics and general arts respectively.

Fifty needy people including 25 girls were given school uniforms, bags and writing kits worth 1,200 cedis funded by the District Directorate of Education. Mr. Gabriel Kploanyi, Volta Regional Education Director, called on groups and individuals to join government in promoting holistic transformation of the education sector. Miss Bridget Tsigbey, District Director of Education, identified low morale among teachers and pupils and lack of supervision due to logistical constraints as accounting for the poor performance of the district in the BECE exams, dropping from 58 percent in 2004 to 41 percent in 2008. She said renewed efforts saw a remarkable leap in 2009 with some schools registering 100 percent with none making zero percent. Miss Tsigbey expressed gratitude to the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the Netherlands International Development Agency, (SNV), some individuals and church groups for their support for education in the area.