Gold Fields Foundation honours teachers
Gold Fields Ghana Foundation introduced a pilot support scheme for teachers in two out of the 11 schools in its catchment area in 2012, as a form of incentive package to motivate teachers.
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Under the scheme, Gold Fields Ghana Limited (GFGL), operating the Tarkwa mine in the Western Region, spent $33, 510.5 in 2015 to motivate about 64 teachers in some selected schools in the company's host communities in the Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipality.
The company, however, realised that even after recognising the 64 teachers, there were still about 181 teachers who were equally working hard even under harsher conditions within the enclave.
Teachers' awards
Consequently, the previous support programme is being reviewed to make it more inclusive and competitive, hence the introduction of the Gold Fields Foundation Teachers' Award, the acting General Manager, GFGL, Tarkwa mine, Mr George Hagan, has stated.
The new arrangement, he said, was fashioned like the National Best Teachers' Award, and would annually recognise and reward outstanding and innovative teachers from pre-school to junior high school (JHS) level, who instil in their children skills and abilities to excel; and teachers who make a difference in thier respective schools.
In line with this, the foundation has organised the maiden awards at Tarkwa, where about 30 teachers were rewarded and two past circuit supervisors were also recognised for working very hard to improve upon the level of education in the host communities.
The ceremony was attended by chiefs, heads of department, assembly members, students and a section of the public.
Presentation of items
The awardees were presented with items such as refrigerators, computers, gas cookers and water containers, and citations.
The category of awards included best school, headteacher of the year, best science teacher, best mathematics teacher, best teacher -technical and outstanding teacher -nursery, kindergarten, primary and JHS.
In his address, Mr Hagan declared, "We at Gold Fields recognise the tremendous role teachers play, not only in the academic achievement of students but in the skill, attitudes and abilities they carry along beyond the classroom."
"The teacher and the headteacher are the heart of the school. You inspire the child, you impart with knowledge and you continue to nurture the character of the child,” the acting general manager stressed.
According to Mr Hagan, since 2005, more than a 1,000 youth within the catchment area had benefited from the company's scholarship scheme, and for the 2016/2017 academic year, about 150 students would be awarded with scholarships and bursaries.