Nigerian Breweries has flagged off the annual Maltina Teacher of the Year Award with the call for entries from teachers in private and public secondary schools across the country.

Corporate Affairs Director, Mrs. Sade Morgan during the flag off ceremony said teachers ought to be commended and celebrated for their contributions to national development, urging all stakeholders to participate and send entries online.

“The global coronavirus pandemic has impacted all aspects of our existence including education. Nevertheless, it has also showcased the resilient spirit of our teachers who have been unrelenting in finding new ways to continue to teach students virtually despite technological challenges and limitations. This demonstrates the important role teachers play in the development of our society and the education of our future leaders.

“Maltina teacher of the year is an initiative that is cherished and keenly supported by our management team who are deeply passionate about education. This is why we are committed and very happy to commence our annual search for the best secondary school teacher in Nigeria with the Call for Entry commencing on June 30 and closes on August 14, 2020. The winning and other qualifying teachers would be revealed in by October in commemoration of the 2020 World Teachers Day,” she explained.

With the pandemic and new regulations to check its spread making people to adopt new ways of doing things, Mrs. Morgan also said the screening for the teachers would follow governments safety protocols with the panels of the judges and teachers observing laid down protocols for events.  She added that the awards may hold remotely this year.

However, the pandemic will not affect the prizes to be presented as the firm, through its Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund has budgeted N60 million to expend on prizes for the state champions and top three winners.

The Maltina Teacher of the Year would go home with N6.5 million prize (paid on yearly basis) and a trophy.  The winner will also get sponsorship for a self-development course; while his/her school gets a block of classrooms or a computer laboratory. The first runner up will get N1 million; while the second runner up receives N750,000 and trophies.  All state winners will get N500,000 each.

Also speaking, Registrar, Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN), Prof. Josiah Ajiboye, described the award as a Nigerian project and a great investment in teachers.

This annual award has become a signature project in the annals of education calendar in the country. Teachers own the key when we talk about the education system. In TRCN, we are happy to partner Nigerian Breweries in this laudable project and would help publicise it as much as possible, he said.
All eligible teachers can register online or download and email completed forms to the organizers.