NTC Opens 2024 Teacher Prize Portal – Apply Here
The National Teaching Council (NTC) has opened the portal for the 2024 Ghana Teacher Prize. Applications and nomination forms are currently available on NTC’s website. This article will explain how you can apply.
WHO QUALIFIES TO APPLY?
There are several categories you can apply to, depending on your field at GES or College of Education. They include
Teaching Category
The Prize is open to all professionally trained and licensed teachers currently working at the pre-tertiary education space (both public and private) and have been teaching for not less than five (5) years.
Selection Criteria
Applications for the Ghana Teacher Prize will be judged based on a rigorous set of criteria to select a teacher who has made an outstanding contribution to the profession. The final judging committee will look for evidence of:
1. Recognition of a teacher’s achievements in the classroom and beyond from learners, colleagues, heads of schools or members of the wider community.
For example, through local/national awards and certificates.
2. Employing innovative and effective instructional practices that are replicable and scalable. For example, through the innovative use of technology or non-typical instructional techniques that can be replicated in other classrooms.
3. Achieving demonstrable student learning outcomes in the classroom. For example, through the improvement of student grades, student attendance / behavior; students becoming achievers in the world of work.
4. Ensuring learners receive value-based education that promotes global citizenship (different religions, cultures and nationalities, linking up with schools in other parts of the community/ country, promoting exchange programmes, excursion)
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5. Achievements in the community beyond the classroom that provide unique and distinguished models of excellence for the teaching profession and others.
For example, recognition through the media, community awards, talks, seminars and membership of local organizations. How do you bring the community into your classroom?
6. Contribution to teaching and the teaching profession: Public debates, research activities, writing articles, blogs, media participation, social media campaigns, events or conferences.
7. Professional Competence: This category of assessment includes academic / professional qualifications, workshops and seminars, provision of in-service training and evidence of quality delivery of service. The staff should be well informed especially about educational policies and issues.
8. Personality Factors: This includes the social, moral and emotional, positive manifestations and role modeling to staff, students and community.
9. Innovations and creativity: This includes new ways and methods of teaching and the use of technology and coping with work in an era of a pandemic. The teacher sets realistic expectations and demonstrates problem solving abilities.
Nomination
Based on the above criteria, nomination of teachers is as follows:
i. Self-nomination
ii. Staff nomination
iii. PTA of School nomination
iv. Community nomination (students, alumni, traditional / religious leaders
v. Union nomination
NON-TEACHING CATEGORY
The Prize is open to all non-teaching staff currently working at pre-tertiary education institutions (both public and private) and have been working for not less than five (5) years.
Selection Criteria
The criteria for selecting the most outstanding non-teaching staff who made the most significant contribution towards education delivery are as follows:
1. Achieving demonstrable performance indicators in the area of operation of the individual staff. These include:
a. Works to job specification / job description.
b. Submission of timely reports of institutions and other offices.
c. Evidence of cost saving activities and prudent use of resources.
d. Punctuality, regularity and comportment.
e. Efficiency and effectiveness in the institution.
2. Recognition of the Staff’s achievements in the institution or office (for example unique performances or an output that enables the institution to impact positively on the learners).
3. Helping the department in which the staff works to achieve its targets (for example timely filing of documents in registries, procurement documentation, stores management etc.).
4. Commitment: Staff, who are committed to work, personal development, positive behavior for the benefit of self and education in Ghana.
5. Achievements in the community beyond the institution or office that provide unique and distinguished models of excellence for the work the applicant does.
(Recognition through community awards, talks, seminars, membership of local organisations and contributions in the media, with a focus on bringing the community into the school environment).
OTHER FACTORS FOR CONSIDERATION
1.Professional Competence
This category of assessment includes academic/professional qualifications, workshops, seminars, provision of in-service training and evidence of quality delivery of service. The staff should be well informed especially about educational policies and issues.
2. Personality Factors
This includes the social, moral, emotional, emotional intelligence, role modeling to staff, students and the community.
3. Contribution to the Community
This takes into account, staff’s participation in the socio-economic development of the community. Work experience in rural/urban settings, as well as support for the vulnerable is an added advantage.
4. Innovations and creativity
This includes new ways or approach to work, and the use of technology. The staff sets realistic expectations and demonstrates problem solving abilities.
Nomination
Based on the above criteria, nomination of non-teaching staff is as follows:
i. Self-nomination
ii. Staff nomination
iii. PTA of School nomination
iv. Community nomination (students, alumni, traditional / religious leaders)
v. Union nomination
TEACHER IN LEADERSHIP AND ADMINISTRATION CATEGORY
The Prize is open to professionally trained and licensed teachers currently working at the pre-tertiary education space (both public and private) and have been working as an administrator for not less than five (5) years. These may include but not limited to Directors of Education, Managers of Educational Units, School Improvement Support Officers (SISOs), Heads of schools etc.
Selection Criteria
An applicant is qualified for selection based on the following criteria:
1. Achieving demonstrable performance in the area of operation of the individual staff. For example, meeting deadlines with assignments to meet the expectation of the institution or office in the area where the staff operates. These include:
a. Having a clear vision and mission statement.
b. Submission of timely reports of institutions and other offices.
c. Evidence of financial stewardship and accountability.
d. Punctuality and comportment.
e. Efficiency and effectiveness in the institution.
f. Effective use of management systems.
g. Evidence of teamwork.
2. Recognition of the staff’s achievements in the institution or office, for example unique performances or an output that enables the institution to impact positively on the students/ teachers/staff.
3. Helping the department in which the staff works to achieve its targets (for example improved learning outcomes, etc.).
4. Commitment: staff who are committed to work, personal development and the projection of the image of the profession.
5. Community service in the areas of role modeling, mentorship, outreach, etc.
(Recognition through community awards, talks, seminars, membership of local organizations, contributions in media).
6. Contribution to teaching and the teaching profession: Public debates, research activities, writing articles, blogs, media participation, social media campaigns, events or conferences.
OTHER FACTORS FOR CONSIDERATION
1. Professional Competence
This category of assessment includes academic/professional qualifications, workshops, seminars, In-Service training, and evidence of quality delivery of service. The staff should be well informed especially about educational policies and issues.
2. Personality Factors
This includes the social, emotional, moral, emotional intelligence, role modeling to staff, students and community.
3. Contribution to the Community
This takes into account, staff’s participation in the socio-economic development of the community, provision of In-Service training, work experience in rural/urban settings, as well as support for the vulnerable is an added advantage.
4. Innovations and creativity
This includes new ways or approach to work and the use of technology. The staff sets realistic expectations and demonstrates problem solving abilities.
Nomination
Based on the above criteria, nomination of teachers in administration is as follows:
i. Self-nomination
ii. Staff nomination
iii. PTA of School nomination
iv. Community nomination (students, alumni, traditional / religious leaders).
v. Union nomination
COLLEGE TUTOR CATEGORY
The Prize is open to all professionally trained tutors currently working at the colleges of education (both public and private) and have been teaching in a College of Education for at least five (5) years.
Selection Criteria
Applications for the Ghana Teacher Prize (College Tutor Category) will be judged based on a rigorous set of criteria to select a tutor who has made outstanding contributions to the profession. The final judging committee will look for evidence of:
1. Recognition of a tutor’s achievements in the classroom and beyond from learners’/students’ appraisals, colleagues, principals, heads of departments, head teachers of partner schools (teaching practice schools) or members of the wider community. For example, through local/national awards and certificates.
2. Employing effective instructional practices that are replicable and scalable. For example, through the innovative use of technology or non-typical instructional techniques that can be replicated in other classrooms.
3. Achieving demonstrable student learning outcomes in the classroom/course. For example, through the improvement of students’ grades, students’ attendance/behavior in college, Supported Teaching in Schools (STS), community of practice; students becoming achievers in the world of work.
4. Ensuring learners receive value-based education that promotes global citizenship (different religions, gender, cultural diversity and nationalities, linking up with teacher education institutions/schools in other parts of the community/country/international, promoting exchange programmes, excursions).
5. Achievements in the community beyond the classroom that provide unique and distinguished models of excellence for the teaching profession and others.
For example, recognition through the media (e.g. contribute to debates or talk-shows), partner schools, community/religious activities, roles or awards, talks (e.g. speech days, open days, durbars, etc.), seminars; membership of local organizations. How do you bring the community into your classroom?
6. Contributing to teaching and the teaching profession through Public debates, research activities, publications, blogs, media participation, social media campaigns, events, seminars or conferences.
7. Professional Competence: This category of assessment includes academic/professional qualifications (i.e., M. Ed; preferably M. Phil and beyond in the relevant subject area/course with at least a diploma in education or Post Graduate Diploma in Education), participation in workshops and seminars, provision of in-service training and evidence of quality delivery of service (e.g. attendance at Professional Development Sessions (PDS), certificates of participation, invitation letters, etc.).
8. Professional Knowledge: This include knowledge about educational policies and reforms, curricula, National Teachers’ Standards (NTS), demonstration of subject knowledge/mastery, etc.
9. Personal Factor: This includes the social, moral, emotional, positive manifestations and role modeling (e.g. staff, students and community can attest to the tutor’s personal life as positive).
10. A teaching portfolio (e.g. Letters of recommendation, CPD certificates, invitation letters for In-Service training, verifiable students’ appraisals, promotion letters, products/artefacts/ inventions etc.)
Nomination
Based on the above criteria, nomination of tutors can be by any one of the following:
i. The applicant
ii. Head of institution
iii. Colleague staff,
iv. Students,
v. Alumni,
vi. Traditional/religious leaders
vii. Union
HOW TO APPLY
Click here to apply.