Department rewards teachers for excellent work
Kimberley - Hard work and dedication paid off when teachers who excelled at different categories were rewarded during the annual prestigious Northern Cape Provincial Teaching Awards held at Flamingo Casino recently. Out of the 45 nominees 10 winning finalists will represent the province at the national awards in 2016 at the date and venue to be confirmed.
This year the awards entered its 17th year of implementation since its inception in the year 2000; through these awards the department of Basic Education encourages dedicated and carrying teachers in their daily efforts to develop each learner with the aim of benefitting the country in the future.
Tough adjudication processes were followed to identify the winners, it was a one sided affair during the awards as Frances Baard district educators dominated the evening when they scooped 8 out of the 10 awards, educators were acknowledged in fields such as excellence in primary school teaching, excellence in primary school leadership and excellence in ICT enhanced teaching.
Grade R educator Lizell Oehley from Hartswater primary school walked away with two awards, she won the cluster and the provincial award in the Excellence in Grade R teaching category. She has been in the teaching field for 13 years, she said dedication and the love she have for children keeps her going. When asked about her achievement she said: “Passion of working with kids led me to the success, I’ve been working with kids for long and to be recognised in this fashion it really shows that I’m doing something positive to the community. I have no doubt that at the national event I will make my province and colleagues proud. It’s good to see that the department is doing all it can to encourage the educators as they play a vital role to the society”, Oehley said.
Speaking at the event department of education senior manager Dr Michell Ishmail said the provincial teaching awards are actualizing the National Teaching Awards aims and objectives which are to honor dedicated, creative and effective teachers and schools which educators to go beyond the call of duty.
“The efforts by our teachers can’t go unnoticed, these are the people who lay foundation for our children’s future, the work with kids of different behavior which is a very challenging task, so honoring them is a gesture to show them that we a really appreciate the role they are playing within our communities”, Ishamail said.