The MTN Ghana Foundation has awarded 20 teachers a scholarship under its “MTN Teachers’ Improvement Awards Programme”, to pursue undergraduate and graduate degree programmes at the University of Cape Coast and the University of Education, Winneba.

The initiative will provide the selected teachers an opportunity to professionally enhance their skills in specific areas; Science, Mathematics and English, for effective teaching and learning in the public institutions.

Acting Cooperate Services Executive for MTN, Mrs. Pala Asiedu Ofori, speaking at the third edition of the awards said selected teachers in the first and second cycle public institutions will benefit from this package.

She explained that the package worth GH¢125,000.00 is aimed at improving their knowledge in the selected subjects as a result of the key role they play in society and in the lives of students.

She however encouraged female teachers to take advantage of the programme to improve their capacity, since their statistics indicated very low female participation.

“Out of the 20 beneficiaries of the programme, only 6 were females’’ she added

Mrs. Asiedu Ofori emphasized MTN’s commitment to boosting development through education. Over the years she explained, MTN has provided scholarship to more than 1,000 students and also built 75 classroom blocks, dormitories and other infrastructure for children in dilapidated school structures in remote communities.

Additionally she said, the foundation has invested GH¢ 22.2 million in 135 Education, Health and Economic Empowerment projects, which has brightened the lives of more than three million people across the country.

Acting Senior Manager MTN Ghana Foundation, Mrs. Georgina Asare Fiagbenu maintained that the Foundation selected 10 teachers to pursue degree programmes and 10 others for the Master’s programme this year.

She expressed optimism about the fact that beneficiaries through this initiative would be better equipped to transform positively teaching and learning in the classroom.

“This will ultimately build the capacity of the students for their personal and national development,” she added.

The ‘MTN Teachers’ Improvement Awards Programme program’ was held in Accra on Thursday October 5 as part of activities to mark the World Teachers Day. The United Nations' (UN) World Teachers' Day celebrates the role teacher’s play in providing quality education at all levels.

This year’s theme dubbed ‘“Teaching in Freedom, Empowering Teachers” seeks to highlight the importance of equipping teachers with right tools and skills for their job.