Photo: Dryva Thusi
He was one of the top Gauteng educators that was honoured by Gauteng MEC for Education, Panyaza Lesufi on the night. Pillay won the category of Excellence in Primary School Leadership at provincial level. He said, “I am deeply humbled by God’s grace, I consider it a great honour to have been nominated and to have reached this stage of the National Teacher Awards.
“I love and am deeply passionate about being the principal of Halfway House Primary and am humbled that my efforts are being recognised.” Pillay said he had been in the field of education for the past 25 years. He realised early in life that “… my calling and talents are to educate, guide and mentor people. I have been through the roles and responsibilities of grade head , learning area head, head of department over the years, before taking up leadership roles in Bryandale Primary, Regents Park Primary, and now Halfway House Primary school.”
Pillay added that he was a product of a public school system and his vision was to close the gap between public and private schools in terms of quality education delivery.
“All schools should be centres of excellence wherein every child is given the opportunity to excel and perform at their highest potential,” said Pillay.
He thanked Halfway House Primary school staff, pupils, parents, the Midrand community and his family for their encouragement and support. Pillay added that he was excited that he would now represent the province at the national leg of the National Teacher Awards in February, where he and other top Gauteng educators would compete with their counterparts from other provinces.
