Nkawie, Oct. 7, GNA - Mr Thomas Ofori Donkor, Atwima Nwabiagya District Chief Executive has expressed concern about the increase in examination leakages and malpractices in some educational institutions. He said the issue was a serious social canker in the educational system affecting the credibility of academic certificates. Mr Ofori Donkor expressed the concern at the Best Teachers and Workers Awards ceremony organized by Atwima Nwabiagya District Education Directorate and the assembly at Nkawie. It was under the theme, "Promoting Quality Education through Teacher/Worker Motivation".

Thirty teachers, non-teaching personnel, some community leaders and individuals who have contributed to the development of education in the district were presented with refrigerators, gas cookers and cylinders, colour television sets, foam mattresses and certificates. Mr Ofori Donkor blamed some teachers for the leakages and malpractices and advised them to exhibit high sense of openness, fairness and maturity in their profession to achieve the needed academic laurels and excellence.

Mr Joseph Kwabena Onyinah, Ashanti Regional Director of Education noted that, education played a crucial role in laying a solid foundation for progress and sustainable development and urged parents to ensure their children attend school to benefit from quality education. He said some interventions by government to improve quality education delivery include capitation grant, school feeding programme, free ride on buses, provision of education infrastructure and re-training of teachers.

Mrs Diana Appiah, Atwima Nwabiagya District Director of Education said, with support from school management committees, Parents Teachers Association (PTA), Board of Governors and coupled with effective teaching, learning and supervision, the district had achieved much excellence in academic standards.

She said despite some achievements made, the directorate had inadequate decent accommodation for teachers, classroom blocks and furniture that had affected effective teaching and learning. Nana Asiamah Poku Afrifa II, Toasehene advised teachers to pursue higher academic and professional laurels and strive hard to excel in their endeavours.

Miss Mary Addai, a teacher at Afari Presbyterian JHS, emerged the overall best teacher and received a deep-freezer donated by Mr Benito Owusu-Bio, Member of Parliament for the area.

Mr Owusu Bempah of Akropong Roman Catholic JHS came second followed by Miss Emelia Adjei of Saint Justin's Anglican JHS in the basic science division and each was presented with a colour television set. Miss Victoria Otchere of Akropong Presbyterian Primary, Miss Georgina Incoom of Akropong JHS and Mr Victor Lebene Gadegbeku of Osei Tutu SHS, each received a table top refrigerator. Mr Noah Awuni of Manhyia Methodist Primary, Miss Patience Frimpong of Amadum Adankwame District Assembly JHS and Mr Charles Adjei Sefah of Toase SHS each had a gas cooker and cylinder.

With the non-teaching personnel, Miss Janet Inkoom of Toase SHS, came first and was given a table-top refrigerator, followed by Miss Gladys Kwafo of Barikese SHS who received a colour television set and Mr Peter Gyasi of Osei Tutu SHS who came third had a foam mattress.

07 Oct. 08