In its quest to reward excellent, patriotic, hardworking and dedicated staff in the teaching profession, the executive body of The Gambia Teachers Union (GTU) last Friday put up committees tasked with the responsibility to spearhead  the activities marking the 4th edition of the Best Teacher Award.  Slated for October 5,  2008, this year's edition will be in line with the objective to showcase valuable contributions made by teachers in the educational sector.

Since its formation on February 9, 1937, GTU organized this bi-annual event to recognized the role of teachers in national development. The union also provides a  platform for its members to express collective views,opinion and decision affecting the interest of the fraternity. In effect, GTU has been, over the years, working to promote  mutual understanding and cement co-operation between teachers and other stakeholders in the education sector.

Speaking at the ceremony, Antoinette Corr-Jack, Secretary General of GTU said dealing with young minds of fragile ego, being measured against the clock, curriculum, the stream of demand coming from all directions make being a teacher surely one of the most demanding professions."Sadly, the vast social and economic difficulties we face have overshadowed the old truth that teaching is as much a calling as medicine as low, a teacher is not merely someone who conveys cold facts from a book into the heads of children. But a motivator and as a means of encouragement which opens the world to children and gives them tools to navigate their way in," she said.

According to her, as with any flooded market they now have the task of choosing the most dedicated and the most capable amongst the lot for the awards, adding that for GTU personnel excellence cannot be compromise.

Presenting a paper on the guidelines for this bi-annual Award, Essa Sowe, Chairman, National Task Force, said that, in most cases teachers change jobs to other sectors they consider more lucrative both within and outside the country, noting that the phenemenon has become an issue of concern.

Invariable low staff morale, little remunerative incentives to a cadre of highly trained individuals in a competitive work force is the consonant and driving force that produces "RATS"  (Run Away Teachers). He then added that, as a major stakeholder in Education in The Gambia, GTU is sensitive to the growing concern over the challenging work and living conditions of its members as well as the lowering performance levels of students.

In his statement, Lamin K Marong, second vice President GTU commended teachers for their hard work."We are confident that with the co-operation of the all stakeholders this programme will be a successful one, although we are in the third term as some schools are currently busy ahead of their examinations," he said.

Meanwhile, the categories for this award are as follows: Lower Basic Category, Upper Basic Category, Senior Secondary Category, Tertiary Education Category, Managerial   Category, Retired Teacher Category, Partners & Friends of GTU, GTU