WATCH | Ramaphosa praises SA teachers at National Teaching Awards

GBV

Cape Town — President Cyril Ramaphosa delivered the keynote speech at the 24th annual National Teaching Awards (NTA) ceremony that took place on Saturday morning.

The NTA took place on the global Word Teachers Day and in his address, he praised the great men and women who are committed to teaching and nurturing the future of South Africa and explained the unique role that teachers play. He said every person is who they are because of the teachers they had before.

“I remember many of these fine educators not just for the knowledge they imparted, but also for their guidance and encouragement. All these years later, they still hold a special place in my heart. The teacher is the devoted, tender gardener, nurturing our nation,” he said.

He explained that teachers need to tend to their students as unique individuals and a devoted educator gives learners their best attention, guidance, encouragement and patience.

“A good teacher is a role model who encourages a child to achieve their potential,” he added.

He said teaching was a “nobility”  and that in the same way, a nation has to grow, so too must the teaching profession.

“Teachers aren’t only expected to impart textbook knowledge to their learners. They often have to be counsellors, social workers, disciplinarians and surrogate parents. In a country such as ours, with such high levels of inequality, the teaching environment of one educator may be completely different to that of another,” he said.

The president explained the importance of adequate resources in schools, ensuring schools are safe, have access to basic amenities and learning takes place in good conditions. He said, while good progress has been made, there is still a lot to do to narrow gaps in schools.

“We are working to strengthen the foundations of early learning. This is to ensure successful education outcomes in the future. The education curriculum is being revised, updated and reformed to meet the needs of a rapidly changing world,” he added.

With youth unemployment at such a high rate, educators are placed with the responsibility to produce the skills in schools needed for our economy to thrive and the onus falls on them to ensure a learner has the capabilities to study further and find employment in some way.

He explained the passage of the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Bill is an effort to build a more efficient education system and provide a platform for early learning foundations to be strengthened,

He called on teachers and learners to ensure there is uniformity and fairness in education standards throughout the country. He ended by praising teachers for the outstanding work they have done to make South Africa proud.

“To all the educators who will be acknowledged here today, congratulations. You have done your profession proud. Continue to strive for excellence and be assured of our full support,” he said.

Today is World Teachers Day. It is a day on which we unite with people across the globe to celebrate those among us who are so important to our shared future. To the teachers of South Africa, we congratulate you. And we thank you for all you have done and continue to do for our nation,” he added.

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Compiled by Matthew Petersen

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