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The Deputy Minister of Education in charge of Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET),  Mrs Barbara Asher Ayisi, has described the double track education system as a suitable policy and therefore urged Ghanaians to embrace it.

She said even though the implementation of the policy was met with some criticisms, it had brought relief to Ghanaians.
 
According to her, some students who could not have the opportunity to be in grade ‘A’ schools  were now enjoying that privilege due to the introduction of the double track system.

The minister was speaking at the presentation of certificates to sponsors of the Ghana Teacher Prize Awards in Accra.

The event which was organised by the National Teaching Council (NTC) was to show appreciation and also acknowledge the contributions of sponsors towards the successful hosting of the awards programme.

Recruitment

Mrs Ayisi also added that due to the double track system, more than 8,000 teachers had been recruited to teach in various senior high schools.

“These teachers would have been staying home but for the introduction of the free SHS that has offered them opportunities to get jobs,” she stated.

The minister further noted that critics of the policy might not have been well-informed on its benefits because it was a new initiative.

Mrs Ayisi expressed her appreciation to the sponsors for their support, adding ‘we entreat you to continue to collaborate with the ministry to ensure excellence in the teaching profession.’

Sponsors

The sponsors were put into various categories according to the magnitude of their sponsorship. Platinum sponsors were the Ghana EducationTrust Fund (GETFund) and the State Insurance Company (SICLife), while those in the Diamond category were Innolink, Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC) and the National Investment Bank (NIB).

Those under the Gold category were the Bulk Oil Storage and Transpotation Company Limited (BOST), Intercom Programming and Manufacturing Company Limited (IPMC), National Petroleum Authority (NPA) and Saudi Economic and Development Company (SEDCO) limited while the Bronze sponsors were Vidya Bookstore, Samwoode Punlishers and Capita View Hotel.

The media partners were the Graphic communication Group Limited, Class Media Group and Kencity media.

Advice

The Deputy Minister of Education in charge of General Education, Dr Osei Adutwum, advised the winners of the awards to serve as coaches and mentors to their fellow teachers.

The Executive Secretary of the NTC, Dr Mrs Evelyn Owusu Oduro, also thanked the sponsors for their intervention.

Background

The Ghana Teacher Prize is a rebranded and upgraded version of the Best Teacher Awards.

It is an annual event where outstanding teachers are appreciated.

This year’s event was held on the theme “The right to educate means the right to a qualified teacher.”

Mr Nicholas Mawunya Gborse of Bishop Herman College emerged as the most outstanding teacher for 2018.

Mrs Augusta Lartey-Young of the Presbyterian Boys Senior High School was adjuged the first runner-up prize whiles Mr Owusu Antepim of Nsutaman Catholic SHS took the second runner-up position.