The Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) and the Metro Education Directorate (GES) has organized the 2021 Metro Best Teacher/Schools Awards at the Kumasi Anglican Senior High School Assembly Hall under the theme: “The Role of Stakeholders in prioritizing Quality Education”.
In his welcome address, the Metro Director of Education, Mr. David Oppong said the ceremony was programmed to recognize hardworking staff and individuals for their enormous contribution to quality education delivery within the Kumasi metropolis.
He said the giving of awards was a way to encourage good behaviour and inculcate competitive spirit, adding that, the awards were not just for recognizing staff who have performed well but also to honor certain individuals who have contributed and continue to support schools within the metropolis.
Mr. Oppong noted that the average BECE performance of Kumasi Metro over the years was 65.5% and as part of measures to improve the situation, they were crafting a 5-year development plan that will serve as a road map, adding that, the stakeholder consultation would begin soon.
In a remark by the Metro Coordinating Director, Mr Akuamoah Boateng who represented the Kumasi Mayor Hon. Sam Pyne, he said the significance of the event was a wakeup call to all stakeholders in the education sector to recognize and support the need to motivate and equip teachers to successfully and efficiently carry out their roles and responsibilities in terms of quality education.
According to him, it was in the light of this that the government was committed to ensuring that the secondary education was accessible to all irrespective of financial status or background.
He said the President, H.E Nana Akufo Addo’s implementation and commitment to the Free Senior High School was not for partisan political interest but was of the firm belief that the country could be transformed and compete among the best in the world if it had educated citizens.
The MCD added that the Government through the Ministry of Education was reforming the school’s curricula to deal with the weakness in the education system and lay greater emphasis on Science, and technology. Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) as well as technical, Vocational Education and Training (TVET).
He affirmed that the KMA was also doing its best despite the budgetary constraints to improve the quality of education in the metropolis, adding that, the KMA had sponsored the BECE mock examination for some years now and had financed some STEM Clinics for students and have also provided furniture and infrastructure for various schools in the metropolis.
Mr. Akuamoah Boateng urged the teachers to take advantage of the Ghana Scholarship Secretariats, Local Scholarship Scheme through the KMA to receive financial support to upgrade their skills, adding that, the scholarship was also available for brilliant but needy students who have completed Senior High School and have gained admission to Tertiary Institutions.
Some hard working teachers and schools received citations and other prizes including microwave ovens, table-top refrigerators, LED televisions among others.
The 2021 overall Metro Best Teacher award was given to Mr. Atta Kyeremeh Jonas Jnr, a Science teacher at Bantama Methodist Junior High School who took home a certificate and a deep-freezer.
The Chairman for the ceremony was the Asemhene, Nana Kyei Baffour.
STORYAND PICS: EMMANUEL ANTWI JNR