Awards honour top NC teachers

THE PROVINCE’S top teachers will be competing against South Africa’s best and brightest in basic education following Monday evening’s Northern Cape edition of the National Teaching Awards (NTA).

Now in its 17th year, the NTA was launched in 2000 and incorporates 10 different categories.

At a gala event at the Mittah Seperepere Convention Centre earlier this week, the provincial recipients were honoured for their contribution in the current academic year and will be hoping to walk away with the national titles in Johannesburg in February next year.

Spokesperson for the provincial Department of Education, Geoffrey van der Merwe, explained that the accolades were intended to raise awareness, understanding and appreciation for the contribution teachers made to education and development in the Northern Cape and across the country.

“Teaching is an obligation that falls on the shoulders of teachers – a resolve to take our future in our own hands and determine our own destiny as a nation,” Van der Merwe said. “Through these awards the department acknowledges and encourages dedicated and caring teachers in their efforts to develop each pupil as a citizen of a democratic, non-racial and non-sexist South Africa.”

In her address at the Mittah Seperepere Convention Centre on Monday evening, the MEC for Education, Martha Bartlett, praised all the teachers in the Northern Cape, particularly the provincial award winners.

“The teacher and the principal are the heart of the school as they set the culture by inspiring the children, instilling knowledge and nurturing their character,” said Bartlett. “It is hard to think of a more important or inspiring responsibility than this. Therefore, it is absolutely appropriate that we take every opportunity to recognise and reward the outstanding teachers we have in our classrooms.”

The winners and runners-up in each

category were:

Excellence in Primary School Teaching – Prudence Sethibang and runner-up Madelyne Maholland

Excellence in Primary School Leadership – Zipho Phoolo and runner-up Keelemang Mathe

Excellence in Secondary School Teaching – Donovan Cupido and runner-up Angus Julie Excellence in Secondary School Leadership – George Robertson

Excellence in Grade R Teaching – Gakeineye Masilo and runner-up Lydia Coetzee

Excellence in Inclusive Education and Special Needs Teaching – Marlene Starr and runner-up Lario Odenaal

Excellence in Mathematics Teaching – Dion Ferris and runner-up Goitsemang Pharasi

Excellence in Science Teaching – Mariana Rispel and runner-up Moeletsi Kgatlhane

Excellence in ICT Enhanced Teaching – Thereza Ramani and runner-up Phemelo Dirakano

Nelson Mandela Lifetime Achievement Award – Carolina Flemming and runner-up Lionel Losper