Mr Dan Botwe, Member of Parliament for Okere, says that teachers' role in shaping and moulding the character of the youth remains critical, especially in this era of technological advancement. 'The role of the teacher goes beyond just standing in front of the blackboard and teaching. The role of the teacher in moulding and laying a solid foundation in character formation remains relevant now than ever.' Mr Botwe, who is a former Minister of state, emphasised that in spite of the ban on canning and corporal punishment, students needed to be disciplined and guided, therefore, the role of the teacher could not be discounted in that regard. Speaking at the Okere District teachers award, the MP urged teachers not to relent in their efforts in disciplining students and inculcating good societal values in them. He lauded teachers, particularly teachers in Okere for their contribution towards national development for their commitment towards measures to improve education in the area. Mr Botwe recalled the commit ment of the teachers in Okere during the institution of the innovative extra classes and boarding for all the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) candidates years ago to improve the BECE results and commended them for their immense support. For the past 16 years as the MP, I have worked closely with teachers in the area and have no doubt that with the support of all stakeholders including traditional authorities the gains made in improving the standards of education, the desired results in the district would stand tall in academic affairs. He donated GHC50,000 on behalf of his siblings and the Master Dako Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation, instituted on behalf of the MPs father who was a teacher-catechist of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana towards the awards. He also promised another GHC50,000 to be given out each year within the next four years to cater for the teachers awards in Okere. In all, 20 teachers were awarded in the Kindergarten, Primary, Junior High School, Senior High/TVET , non-teaching staff and management and leadership categories respectively, as well as 54 teachers in the hard-to-reach communities scattered in the downhill of the district. Mr Eric Darko, a teacher at the Nifa Senior High School was adjudged the best teacher in the district while Ms Bernice Hanson, headmistress of Adukrom Presbyterian Primary school was adjudged the best headteacher, among others. Dr Mrs Ivy Asantewa Owusu, Eastern Regional Director of Education, commended the awardees for their outstanding achievement and commitment towards the teaching profession in the district and expressed the hope that it would motivate others to work hard. She noted that celebrating brilliance in education helped to create a culture of excellence within schools in the communities, create a culture of excellence and set high standards for academic achievement. Ms Agnes Abban, Okere district director of education, said the BECE pass rate at the cut-off point of aggregate 36, kept improving since 2019 that the Okere district was carved out from Akropong. She thanked Mr Botwe for his immense support towards education, the School Management Committees, and other stakeholders for playing pivotal roles in supporting teaching and learning. Source: Ghana News Agency