THE Inoyo Toro Foundation (ITF) continued with its yearly celebration of hard-working Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology and English teachers in Akwa Ibom State, with the conferment of relevant awards on this year's winners, at a ceremony held in Uyo, Cross Rivers state recently.The event was preceded by the traditional mentoring session, in which eminent indigenes of the state, speak to selected secondary school students from their respective former schools, on a wide range of issues, designed to broaden their outlook to life and also teach them additional success tips.For this year, Mr. Archibong Edet from Urban Secondary School, Ibiaku Ntok Okpo clinched the first position in Mathematics. Mr. Friday George, who teaches at the Community Secondary School, Etok Uruk Eshiet came second, while Mr. Usoro Godwin Effiong came third.In the Biology category, Mr. David Oboho from Community Secondary School came first, Mrs. Margaret from Holy Trinity College, Mbiaobong came second, while Mr. John Akpabio from Cornelia Connelly College, Uyo clinched the third position.For Physics, Mr. Sandy Akpan from Comprehensive Secondary School, Ediene, Abak was first, Ufot Simeon Ekpe from Etinan Institute, Etinan, second and Joshua Etok from Community High School, Afahabong, Abak, third.For Chemistry, the first to third positions went to Mr. Isaac Okon Community Secondary School, Ikot Akpabo, Mr. Bassey Effiong Uyo High School and Mr. Sunday Udiong, St. Augustine Secondary School, Urua Inyang.For the English Language, Mr. Silas Asuquo of Community Secondary School, Ukana East came first, Okon Udo Secondary School, Ikot Abai Idem, Ikot Ekpene) came second, while Ms. Mary Joseph Okon, Presbyterian Senior Secondary School, Ididep clinches the third position.Minister of State for Education, Mr. Nyesom Wike acknowledged that one of the ways to encourage teachers to put in their best was through motivation. Represented by his Special Assistant on Technical Matters, Dr. Olu Ayebo, the minister stated that while the Federal Government was determined to train teachers on modern methods, it was impossible for it to shoulder the burden of the education sector alone. He expressed the need for 'collaborative efforts.'Guest Speaker and Managing Director of the Liquified Natural Gas Ltd, who commended the ITF for playing up the role of teachers, also implored the teachers to encourage student who show the desire for knowledge. Chairman of the occasion, Mr. Uko Udom, a legal practitioner, enjoined the students not to joke with their studies or disobey teachers' instructions.Chairman of the Award Committee, Prof. Ebong Mbipom explained how the winners were chosen. His words: 'The process was similar to that of last year and 98 public secondary schools were screened. 11 English, 34 Mathematics, 51 Biology, 40 Chemistry and 30 Physics teachers were qualified for the selection test.'The schools' screening team of three was made up of a principal science officer in the state secondary education board, a reputable retired vice-principal and the programme and administrative officer of the foundation. The learning environment, availability of laboratories and libraries formed part of the school assessment for the genuiness of the high scoring schools.'The final screening test was in two parts. The first part was an aptitude test based on the WAEC (West African Examinations Council) syllabus, but needed speed and accuracy for just 40 minutes. One hundred and thirty teachers reported for the test.'The second part of the test was an oral examination meant for those who passed the written test reasonably. Only about seven per subject were examined orally and from the total score, the three excellent teachers for each of the five subjects emerged.'On the Grand Mentors Teachers Award, which was conferred for the first time on Mrs. Iquo Abang Edentighe, a Biology teacher with Methodist Science College, Oron, Mr. Okpo Enefiok, a Mathematics teacher at Etinan Institute, Mr. Akpakpan Udoh, a Physics teacher at St Mary's Senior Science College, Ediene and Mr. Enekiok Umo, who teaches Chemistry at the Etinan Institute, Mbipom stated: 'In January, 2010 and May, 2011, the Foundation, in collaboration with the renowned consulting firm, Accenture, held a special workshop on mentoring for the 2008/2009 Teachers award winners to prepare them to be mentors of other teachers in their subject areas. Thus past winners were challenged to reproduce their kind. The award for such effort is the Grand Mentor Teachers' Award.'According to him, the award was opened only to past and present winners of the Teachers' Award for Excellence, for which eligible teachers were required to adopt a minimum of four teachers and a maximum of seven in their subject of specialisation.The Foundation was founded in 2007 in response to the need to celebrate excellence, through the conferment of awards on Science, Mathematics and English teachers who excelled in their teaching in Akwa Ibom State public schools, and also to create awareness on the need to encourage students to pay more attention to science subjects.
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