The National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) has congratulated the 2008 National Best Teacher, Mr. Saddiwue Boateng and all the other teachers who received awards at recently held National Teachers Award.
"The Union shares in their joy and hopes, the awards will inspire them to do more to justify the recognition given them by the state", NUGS said in a statement on Saturday.
The statement signed by Ishmael Tweneboa-Kodua, NUGS President and Malik Abass Daabu, Press and Information Secretary expressed the hope that other teachers would be motivated to also put in their best, in order for them to be also recognised by the State.
"NUGS doff out hat to the thousands of teachers for their contribution to nation-building and providing hope to the future generations. Your magnanimity and resilience are very much appreciated," it added.
The statement further appreciated President John Agyekum Kufuor for releasing the salaries of the members of the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) which was confiscated for their refusal to halt an industrial strike despite a court order to stop them.
"We want to believe the move will sincerely reconcile the country as the President rightly observed", it added
NUGS also appealed to government to improve the working conditions of teachers to reduce their economic hardships, saying that poverty and poor appearance of teachers could affect the impart of knowledge.
It noted that improved conditions of service would accord teachers the needed social respect, reduce the incidence of some teachers teaching extra classes and taking money from parents.