Ejura (Ash), Dec. 17, GNA- The Ejura-Sekyedumase District Assembly is sponsoring 153 untrained teachers in the district under the untrained teacher training in Diploma Basic Education (UTTBE) programme at the cost of over GN=A27,650.

Dr. Joseph Ayarkwa, District Chief Executive (DCE), who announced this said, 96 teacher trainees were also being sponsored by the assembly at the cost of GH=A29,600 each academic year.

Dr. Ayarkwa was speaking at this year's Best Teachers and Workers Award ceremony at Ejura on Thursday, under the theme "Meeting the challenges of the New Education Reform through a Motivated and Resourced Teacher". Thirty-five teachers and workers selected from the basic and second cycle institutions received various awards including Table Top Refrigerators, colour Television sets, Electric Gas Ovens, Bicycles, Roofing Sheets, Standing Fans and Wall Clocks estimated at over GH=A27,000.

Dr. Ayarkwa announced that, 87 teaching assistants have been engaged under the National Youth Employment Programme (NYEP) to fill various vacancies in the schools.

The District Assembly, he said, has put-up new classroom blocks at Baware, Mbanoa, Ejura Brigade, Ejura Anglican Primary, Sekyedumase Seventh Day Adventist, Zabrama, Ayenboboano and Sekyedumase Presbyterian School to absorb the increasing number of pupils.

Dr. Ayarkwa said, the district assembly has also constructed a four-unit teachers' living accommodation each at Nsubonta, Adiembra Nkwanta, Anyinasu, Sekyedumase and Bayere Nkwanta to attract, motivate and retain teachers who were posted to the area.

Under the Community-Based Rural Development Project, the District Chief Executives said, 14 institutional KVIP's were being constructed at Atakura number 1, Atakura number2, Babuso, Samari Nkwanta and Bisiw. Nana Tawia Tiwaa II, Queen of Ejura who presided, lamented the poor and low enrolment of girls in the schools and advised parents and guardians to encourage their girls of school-going age to go to school. She commended teachers in the district for their sacrifices and hard work and advised them to keep it up.