JOHANNESBURG – Gauteng MEC for Education Panyaza Lesufi honoured the province’s educators at a gala dinner at Gallagher Convention Centre, Midrand on Friday January 16.
He thanked all the teachers for the good work. Among other things that the MEC mentioned at the gala dinner was that the Gauteng education is the best and he will make sure that teachers are helped in every way.
“Good remunerations and proper resources will be looked at because good teachers need to be acknowledged. I believe this will increase better quality education. If we have teachers who are happy and committed, we will have a great environment to work.
“Also, when you have a good principal you will have a good school. No principals will be appointed in the wrong way. Four attributes (commitment, talent, skills and qualifications) will determine the appointment of the principal, HODs and teachers,” explained MEC Lesufi.
He said that people mustn’t criticise the tablets initiative. “We need to encourage change. This technology is far ahead of our times. We are in the era of technology. Let’s embrace it. Our paperless classroom will save time for all of us,” he said.
Among the winners, the South had five teachers mentioned: Position 2; Ms Barbara van Vught and Ms Tshimangadzo Singo (Futura) – Excellence in Special Needs and Inclusive Teaching, position 2; Ms Patsy Muller (Mondeor High) – Excellence in Mathematics Teaching, position 2; Ms Elz-beth Kruger (Glenvista High) – Excellence in Physical Science and position 3 and Mr Andrè Basson (Hoërskool Alberton) – Excellence in ICT-Enhanced Teaching and Learning.
“During the National Teachers awards 2014, I won the second prize of the position of teaching Excellence in Mathematics. I’m truly blessed to have won the award; I didn’t expect it to happen, I must be honest. I’m so thankful for the gift of teaching and for the learners, their respect and love. For all my family members and colleagues at the school who showed me their love and supported me,” Ms Patsy Muller thanked her supporters.
Elz-beth Kruger first won in the cluster competition and then went on to provincial level, where she received second place. “I was quite nervous, excited and quite proud; when you’re at the competitions you do the best you can. My family was excited, I hadn’t told anyone about the nomination. I called my mom at the event and told them about where I was,” explained Kruger excitedly.
Ms Kruger said she’s been receiving messages of congratulations from colleagues, learners, friends and family.
