Kintampo (B/A), April 4, GNA - The Kintampo District Education Directorate in conjunction with the District Assembly have held an awards day at which 18 best teachers and workers were honoured for their meritorious service.

Mr Kofi Sarfo-Kantanka, acting district Director of Education, urged the teachers to redouble efforts to help improve the standard of education and to reciprocate the honour to boost their morale.

He advised them to be conscious of the ethics of the profession and to eschew negative practices such as truancy, absenteeism, lateness and apathy, which he said, was effecting the children's education.

The acting director appealed to parents to support the teachers and embrace them as fellow citizens so they could train and educate the children to become disciplined and responsible citizens.

Mr Sarfo-Kantanka asked the community to provide decent accommodation for the teachers.

He announced that a number of items had been given out to outstanding teachers and schools within the last three years in appreciation of their contributions to the promotion of education. Mr James Kwabena Bomfeh, District Chief Executive, expressed concern about the poor performance of the district in last year's Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) and the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSSCE).

Mr Bomfeh said the Assembly would institute a five billion-cedis education endowment fund to help uplift education in the district. Mr Peter Donkere of Krabonso local primary school, won the best teacher award in the primary division, Mr Kumfi Ameyaw Boahen of Jema Junior Secondary School, the best at the JSS level and Mr Joseph Yaw Agbelepe of Kintampo Presbyterian JSS, the best in basic science.

The best science and mathematics teacher awards at the SSS level were won by Mr Anthony Duah and Mr Anas Tabiri, respectively, both tutors at Kintampo Secondary school.

Mr. Samuel Sarkodie, a driver at the education directorate was the best non-teaching staff while Mr Isaac Gyan, storekeeper at Jema Secondary School came second.

Each best teacher took home a 20-inch colour television.