Cape Coast, May 06, GNA - A total of 23 teachers from primary, junior and secondary schools and technical /vocational and training colleges were on Thursday awarded prizes, for their dedication to duty during the 2003/2004 academic year.

Seven women and 16 men were presented with refrigerators, television sets, gas cookers and certificates.

Mrs Rebecca Koomson of the Nyakrom A/D primary 'B' was adjudged the best teacher in the primary category, with Ms Monica Koomson-Barnes of the Moree D.A JSS taking the first place in the junior secondary school category.

Mr Samuel Mensah of the Swedru Holy Quran JSS was the best teacher in basic science and Mr Harrison Gardiner of the Assin Manso Secondary School was the best in the teaching of science at the SSS level. Mrs Esther Gamaima Taylor of the Aggrey Memorial Secondary School came first in the teaching of general subjects at the SSS level with Mr Francis Quansah of the Foso Training College taking the first place in the training college category.

In the technical/ vocational category, Mr Seidu Adam of the Dunkwa secondary Technical School came first and the award for the best non-teaching staff went to Mr Samuel Johnson of the Mfantsipim School. Mrs Justina Torjagbo, the Regional director of Education, reiterated the need for teachers to be adequately motivated to enable them put in their best.

She recounted how teachers were in the past held in high esteem and motivated and urged community leaders to make the welfare of teachers posted to their area their priority such as providing accommodation to new teachers without demands for rent advances. Mrs Torjagbo said the government was doing everything possible to improve their working conditions, particularly those in the rural areas. She was unhappy that the awards for 2003/2004 were now being presented and attributed the situation to lack of funds and appealed to NGOs and philanthropists to help in the organisation of subsequent awards.