CAPE TOWN - The Western Cape celebrated the achievements of eight educators and a pupil who made the top three positions in their respective categories at the National Teaching Awards (NTAs) held in Kempton Park, Gauteng on Wednesday.
The Department of Basic Education celebrated teachers for their pursuit of excellence in education amid challenging circumstances including Covid-19 at the 21st edition of the awards.
Nominations were submitted and provincial awards ceremonies were held in September, with winners up for the national awards.
Life Sciences and Marine Sciences teacher Mariette Wheeler of Protea Heights Academy in Brackenfell was recognised as the top teacher in the country with the Best Teacher Award.
Wheeler was hailed for her work in transforming the learning experience of pupils through science-related activities, project-based learning, debating, technology assisted learning and community projects while also ensuring teachers stay engaged during online classes.
Renate van der Westhuizen, an Apex High School teacher in Blue Downs, Eerste River, was awarded the Excellence in Secondary School Leadership for her innovative leadership style.
She has developed special partnerships with external organisations that have benefited her learners and teachers at the no-fee school.
Jevonn Cloete of Rusthof LSEN School in Strand was the winner for the Excellence in Special Needs Teaching category.
Two teachers from Protea Heights Academy in Brackenfell, La Rochelle Girls’ Primary School, Paarl achieved second position, while three teachers from Langebaanweg Primary School in Langebaan, Dorothea School in Stellenbosch and Protea Heights Academy took third place.
Beacon Hill High School pupil Alessio Marcus also achieved third place for the category of National Learner Award.
President Cyril Ramaphosa said even at the height of Covid-19 pandemic teachers remained true to their calling to secure a collective future.
“We are indeed indebted to our teachers who made it possible for our children's education to continue. In the course of Covid-19 you had to adapt. It is with sadness that we remember and pay tribute to all teachers and other education officials who succumbed to Covid-19,” he said.
Ramaphosa said as a nation, the most pressing challenge was youth unemployment.
“Some of the young work-seekers are not well educated and do not possess sufficient skills and previous work experience demanded by employers in the labour market. That places a great responsibility on teachers and education officials, and indeed on all of us to ensure that our schools, colleges, universities and other training institutions are producing the skills and capabilities that our country needs.”
Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga said several years of teaching by outstanding teachers can offset the learning deficits of disadvantaged students.
“Interestingly, research confirms that experience is irreplaceable. A range of studies exploring what makes school systems effective has looked for common characteristics in the top-performing education systems. All found that the key is well trained and motivated teachers,” Motshekga said.
Education MEC Debbie Schäfer said the educators have done the province proud with exceptional results.
“They have all made us extremely proud, whether they won their category or not. We will celebrate them, and the contribution of all the committed teachers of the Western Cape, for the entire month of October.”
Cape Times