DURBAN - KWAZULU-NATAL teachers and a 13-year-old pupil were honoured by the Department of Education at the provincial National Teaching Awards (NTA) held on Wednesday at Northlands Primary School in Durban North.
The awards were part of the Teacher Appreciation and Support Programme that was launched by the minister of Basic Education in 2015 with the goal to acknowledge, appreciate and celebrate teachers’ excellence in a diverse context. This was after the programme was conceptualised by the former minister of education, Professor Kadar Asmal in 2000.
More than 30 teachers were awarded with certificates and cheques for going the extra mile and contributing to positive outcomes in pupils' results.
Noluthando Nkosi, 31, a Grade 6 teacher at Sangweni Primary School in Mthembu Sithole, Greytown, said she was grateful to be working in a community that encouraged her to be the best.
“I am so excited that I am here and over the moon because my decision to enter for these awards has paid off. By God’s grace I came in first place for primary school teaching.
“I am also thankful to my principal, who encouraged me to enter. The principal kept motivating me until I reached the national level. I am proud to be working for the community of Sangweni and working with the children that helped me be the teacher that I am today,” Nkosi said.
Rishan Sivanarain, 36, of Earlington Secondary School in Pinetown, teaches grades 10 to 12 physics.
“I am very thrilled to be participating in these awards and glad that I was successful in the NTA. It is an honour for me to be credited especially in the adverse circumstances of Covid-19. It is our job to take the teaching profession forward and try to innovate it as soon as possible. It feels good to be appreciated in such a fashion. Quite often teachers are overlooked and under-appreciated. It means a lot that the department acknowledged the hard work that is done by teachers,” Sivanarain said.
Ayanda Khanyile, 38, a grades 4 and 5 performing arts teacher at Bright Future Special School in Sea Cow Lake in Durban, said winning the excellence in special school award was a reminder of his love for teaching.
“In my school we specialise in learners that need special care. It sometimes becomes difficult to teach learners who have barriers to learning but because I believe in them and they believe in me it is doable. Seeing them prosper and fighting for their future because of me makes me happy. I wouldn’t change it for the world. This award is just a reminder of how hard I work to make their dreams valid. I am mostly grateful to the department for this opportunity to remind me again why I am in this field,” Khanyile said.
Enhle Gebashe, 13, of Adams Mission, a Grade 8 pupil at Kingsway High School, was recognised with a new award category – best learner – for her designer clothes including a school uniform.
“I feel very happy to be recognised by the department for something that started as a hobby yet has already opened so many doors. I am grateful to be the first learner and the very first title-holder at my age.
“I have never thought someone as young as me, who just likes fashion design, would be recognised at such a big event. This has just proved that following your dreams no matter the age is never wrong. I would encourage my peers to focus on their schoolwork but also not limit themselves to rules. I am doing great at school and still living my dream. They should live up to their dream – no one knows where they will end up,” Gebashe said.
Education MEC Kwazi Mshengu, who was the guest speaker, said it was their duty to acknowledge and encourage teachers for their outstanding work.
“Today is about celebrating and encouraging teachers who have strived for excellence regardless of the challenges. We thank them for their job, building the future of our societies, which they have done even under bad circumstances,” he said.
“Most of our schools are situated in rural areas and some of the challenges include bad infrastructure and poor living conditions, yet they still strive in educating. We are excited to see our teachers competing and winning awards at a national level. This proves that we have rapid quality growth in KZN.”
Daily News