Four educators in the Western Cape have won top prize at 2022’s National Teaching Awards

Four educators in the Western Cape have won top prize at 2022’s National Teaching Awards (NTA) which took place in Pretoria on Thursday morning.

The 22nd NTA are hosted in recognition of the nation’s foremost teachers and to celebrate outstanding educators who, often under challenging circumstances, remain committed to their roles in moulding the citizens of the future.

‘’Teachers nominated represent the diverse nature of schools across the country and will be awarded for their excellence across a variety of categories including, but not limited to Excellence in Grade R Teaching, Excellence in Primary School Teaching, Excellence in Secondary School Teaching, Excellence in Secondary School Leadership as well as the Lifetime Achievement Award,’’ said the Basic Education Department in a statement.

The 22nd edition of the Awards has been benchmarked against worldwide teacher award strategies such as the African Union Teacher Prize, the Commonwealth Education Awards and the Global Teacher Prize.

All teachers, governing bodies and district officials were invited to submit nominations, based on the criteria contained in the Nomination and Information Guide. The Western Cape’s Teaching Awards ceremony was held on 9 September, and the provincial winners became nominees for the national awards.

·        Excellence in Teaching Natural Sciences: Ms Luize Kroukamp, Paul Roos Gymnasium, Stellenbosch – WINNER

·        Excellence in Teaching Physical Sciences: Ms Marieke Pretorius, Apex High School, Eerste River – WINNER

·        Excellence in Special Needs Leadership: Ms Yolanda Lupondo, Siviwe School of Skills, Gugulethu – WINNER

·        Kader Asmal Lifetime Achievement Award: Mr Ridwan Samodien, Kannemeyer Primary School, Grassy Park – WINNER

PICTURE: WCED

·        Excellence in Grade R Teaching: Ms Jamie-Lee Titus, Sunningdale Primary School, Sunningdale, Blouberg – SECOND PLACE

·        Excellence in Primary School Teaching: Ms Charnelle Hector, Belmor Primary School, Hanover Park – SECOND PLACE

 

‘’They have all made us extremely proud, whether they won in their category or not. This is a wonderful recognition of the work that they are doing in our schools, and I congratulate each of them on this outstanding achievement. We are so proud of you!,’’ said MEC David Maynier.

‘’At our provincial ceremony, I said that the one thing that the pandemic taught us is that schools matter, and that teachers matter. Our teachers are the backbone of society, and our department’s most valuable asset. I thank all of our teachers across the province, for their innovation, dedication, integrity, commitment, courage, caring, and most importantly, the deep love that they have for the children of the Western Cape,’’ he added.