MTN launch Teachers’ Improvement Awards programme

MTN Ghana Foundation has announced the launch of the second edition of its Teachers’ Improvement Awards Programme. The scholarship award programme is a scheme to financially assist teachers who wish to upgrade their education at the first Degree or Masters level at the University of Cape Coast or University of Education, Winneba.

The Teachers’ Improvement Awards Programme has been designed to assist teachers in first and second cycle public institutions who seek to further their education in Science, Mathematics or English. Submission of applications is requested from 1^st September to 20^th September 2016. The criteria for selection of applicants are as follows:

• Applicant must be a citizen of Ghana.
• Applicant must have a minimum of five (5) years teaching experience.
• Applicant must be teaching in a public institution at the time of the application and must commit to returning either to that institution or another public institution upon completion of the sponsored program as shall be approved by the Foundation.
• Applicant shall be bonded to remain in the teaching service for a minimum of five (5) years upon completion of the first degree and three (3) years for the Masters program.
• Applicant must not be older than fifty (50) years at the time of application.
• Applicant must complete a set of application forms.
• The program is opened to teachers who wish to pursue courses in English, Science (Integrated Science, Physics, Chemistry, Biology) and Mathematics education only.
• Applicant must have qualified for admission to University of Cape Coast or University of Education, Winneba before applying.

Commenting on the second edition of the project, the Corporate Services Executive of MTN Ghana, Mrs. Cynthia Lumor, indicated that, the MTN Ghana Foundation is committing resources to enable teachers upgrade their skills because research has shown that an informed teacher is the most important factor that influences student development and achievement.

“It is critical to pay closer attention to how we train and support our teachers. Great teachers help produce great students,” she said.

A short listing exercise will be carried out by a panel of judges who are distinguished personalities in Academia, after which a list of the successful candidates will be published in select newspapers.

The MTN Teacher Improvement project was launched by the MTN Ghana Foundation in June 2015. At the end of the maiden edition, 20 teachers were selected by the judges, with nine selected to pursue first degree programs and eleven selected to pursue Masters Programs. Out of the twenty, seven beneficiaries are pursuing courses in Mathematics, seven in English and six in Science programmes.

Credit: MTN Ghana