Vice President Dr Bawumia presenting a model house to the Best Teacher
The New Patriotic (NPP) government has cleared the salary arrears of 70,000 teachers since assuming power in January 2017, Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has disclosed.
According to him, the Akufo-Addo administration inherited salary arrears of some 100,000 teachers from the previous administration through promotion benefits and others.
He, however, said government has reduced the figure significantly and expressed optimism that all the arrears would be cleared soon.
“As we speak, we have reduced that through the validation process to just 30,000 teachers so we are on course and should eliminate that soon,” he declared.
The Vice President was speaking at the commemoration of the World Teachers’ Day at Presbyterian Boys’ Senior High, Legon (Presec) in Accra yesterday.
Unsung Heroes
Dr. Bawumia described teachers as unsung heroes who have enormously contributed to the development of the country and commended teachers for their very significant role in shaping every sphere of national life.
He lauded the dedication and selflessness exhibited by teachers over the years, and reiterated the commitment of the current Akufo-Addo government to recognizing the contributions of hardworking and selfless teachers towards improvement in education in the country through a wide range of incentives and reforms.
“These dedicated men and women are our unsung heroes, often working in less than ideal conditions and toiling not only to impart knowledge to us but to shape our moral code and prepare us to be responsible citizens,” Dr. Bawumia stated.
“Teachers play a pivotal role in the development of our human resource and remain key in the achievement of the overall development of the country. To teach is to inspire, to challenge, to mold, to develop thinking, to sow seeds for the future. Let me therefore, on this momentous occasion, on behalf of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, use this opportunity to salute our gallant teachers for their commitment to duty.”
The Vice President indicated that the success of the innovative double track system, which has provided access into Senior High Schools this year for an additional 180,000 JHS graduates, would largely depend on teachers.
He, therefore, urged teachers to re-dedicate themselves to the cause while government works to address their concerns.
“Government is aware that no matter its best intention, the double track system will not be successfully executed and produce desired results without the teacher. We have had meaningful engagements with the various teacher unions on the double track system, and in all these engagements, the interests of the teacher have been primary.”
“I wish to assure our gallant teachers and their leaders that the government of President Nana Akufo-Addo is fully committed to their welfare. We are fully open to engagements with the profession on making improvements to your welfare, because we believe in the importance of the work you do in developing our human resource capacity as a nation,” Vice President Bawumia indicated.
The day, which was used to mark the maiden edition of the ‘Ghana Teacher Prize awards,’ formerly ‘National Best Teacher Awards’ saw some outstanding teachers awarded for their excellence in the teaching profession.
The 2018 Most Outstanding Teacher Award was won by Forsey Nicholas of Bishop Herman Senior High School.
For his prize, he was awarded a three-bedroom house worth GH¢180,000 and other assorted items.
First Runner up, Augusta Lartey of Presbyterian Boys Senior High School received a 4×4 Pick-up worth GH¢130,000.
Second Runner up Owusu Antipem of Nsutaman Senior High School received a saloon car and a cheque for GH¢50,000.
By Gibril Abdul Razak