teachers on World Teachers' Day, 5 October 2006
4 October 2006
I wish to take this opportunity on World Teachers' Day to salute the role
our teachers play in the education and welfare of our children. This year we
also celebrate the 40th anniversary of the signing in 1966 of the Joint
International Labour Organisation and United Nations Educational, Scientific
and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) recommendation on the status of teachers,
which focused on the preparation and employment conditions of teachers; the
participation of teachers and their organisations in educational
decision-making and the measures that should be taken in each country in order
to promote quality teaching and learning.
40 years later these issues remain high on our agenda and resonate with the
theme of World Teachers� Day 2006: "Quality teachers for quality education",
which is close to my heart. Much still needs to be done in our country to
achieve the goal of a quality education for all our children. The government is
committed to progressively putting into place the enabling policies,
infrastructure and resources needed to fully realise this goal. However,
progress is dependent on a well qualified and motivated teaching force that is
dedicated to ensuring that all children achieve their full potential and leave
school with the knowledge, skills and values required not only for the
workplace or further study, but also to function as enlightened and responsible
citizens.
I will shortly be releasing a policy framework for the education and
professional development of teachers, which I am confident, will go a long way
to enhance the status of the teaching profession and to make teaching a career
of choice for talented young people from all communities. Teachers are, no
doubt, the life-blood of any education system. World Teachers' Day provides an
important opportunity for teachers to reaffirm their commitment to the
provision of quality education for all.
My sincere appreciation and thanks goes to our teachers for their dedicated
service to the nation.
Enquiries:
Lunga Ngqengelele
Tel: (012) 312 5538
Cell: 082 566 0446
Email:ngqengelele.l@doe.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Education
4 October 2006
