Cross River Rewards Teachers On Excellence
CALABAR, December 19, (THEWILL) - The adage that a teacher’s reward is in heaven has been made a thing of the past in Cross River State as they now receive it while in service and not in retirement nor posthumously.
This was evident in the main bowl of the Cultural Centre Complex, Calabar at the end of a two-day 2nd Cross River State Education Summit, where some school heads and teachers received prizes in recognition of their commitment and dedication to service.
Mr. Samuel Ikpeme, Principal Government Secondary School, Henshaw Town Calabar received the star prize award of a Geely LC 1.2 saloon car as the Best Secondary School Principal in the State while Mrs. Bassey Orok of Army Day Secondary School, Calabar who came second, got a computer unit and N100, 000.00 and the third person, Mr. Ojong Takon got a computer printer and N50, 000.00.
In the best teacher, Secondary school category, Mrs. Odu Maria Aka of Army Day Secondary School, Calabar came first and got a computer unit and N100, 000.00 while Ikachi Agim of Girls’ Secondary School Obudu came second and got a printer and N50, 000:00 and Adiahe Iwara of Community Secondary School, Ugep, who came third got a printer.
The star prize of another Geely LC1.2 saloon car in the primary school category for the best primary school administrator was won by Iboko Ime Okanga of Government Primary School, Ikang Bakassi while Mathew Asinya of Presbyterian Church of Nigeria (PCN) Primary School, Four Corners, Ikom, who came second, got computer and Beatrice Awu of Saint Francis Primary School, Abia, Etung came third and got a printer.
According to the Commissioner for Education, Professor Offiong E. Offiong, the prizes were introduced following the advice by Governor Liyel Imoke that principals and teachers in schools as well as their counterparts in the primary schools should be acknowledged, appreciated and encouraged in recognition of their hardwork and commitment to service.
Prof. Offiong therefore urged other principals’ school heads and teachers to put in more effort for the State to realize its vision of providing an A-class standard of education as no meaningful achievement can be recorded, even with the best equipment and infrastructure, if the teachers are not dedicated and committed to service.
He explained that no teacher was qualified for the best primary school teacher award because none met the criteria set for the award.