25 teachers in Kwaebibirem District were on Friday presented with awards at the 2007 best teachers awards ceremony which was organized at Kade. Nine teachers in the Primary, Junior High and Senior High schools were each presented with 21-inch colour television set. Ten others took home fridges and six were presented with gas cookers with cylinders and accessories. Fifty bicycles were also presented to dedicated teachers working in deprived areas while twelve other bicycles went to girls who walk long distances to their schools. The theme for the occasion was; “the new educational reform, the motivated teacher as a factor.” In an address, the Deputy Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Ofosu Asamoah said the role of the teacher in the implementation of the new educational reforms was very necessary and all teachers needed the right resources and the best motivation to give of their best. He said the government was very much grateful and appreciated the remarkable performance of teachers in promoting quality education. It was in that respect that the government instituted study leave with pay for teachers and also distance education programme which allowed teachers to access higher education to enhance their performance while still in the classroom. Mr Asamoah, who is also a Member of Parliament for Kade said the indispensable tool which Ghanaians wanted for national progress was in the hands of teachers and expected them to give the children quality education they deserved. He urged teachers’ associations to educate their members to abstain from drunkenness, lateness, absenteeism, immoral relations with students and involvement in drug peddling and other unacceptable behaviours that cast a slur on their image. Source: GNA