SHARPEVILLE.- Zichally was given the award for Excellence in Primary School Teaching during the 21st National Teaching Awards held recently at the Radisson Hotel & Convention Centre in Johannesburg.
The event was also attended by Gauteng MEC for Education, Panyaza Lesufi who congratulated all the top achievers on their hard work and contribution to the education sector.
Zichally explained that the journey that led her to being recognised as the best in the province was an emotional one as this was her first time entering the competition.
“This was my first time taking part in these awards and I feel like I have done so well. “There were times when things were not going well and I wanted to give up.My presentation gave me a lot of sleepless nights but I still soldiered on.”
Zichally said that her passion has driven her into becoming the person she is. “I am very competitive. Even with my kids. If I enter them into a competition, I’ll make sure that they work very hard in order to attain a win.”
Zichally said that she knew from a young age that she wanted to be a teacher and that this is her calling.
“I studied various other things but I was never fulfilled in those fields. I made a choice to pursue teaching and each and every single day, I wake up looking forward to making my learners realise their different talents.”
Zichally said that her dream is to see parents and teachers working together in order to help children achieve their dreams.
“It is very important that we don’t contradict the child. This means that teachers and parents need to find a common ground for the benefit of the child.”
Zichally’s dream is to work with other countries in helping struggling kids to reach their full potential at school by tapping into their different talents and also finding ways to help them better understand what they are being taught in school.
