Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga
Minister of Higher Education, Blade Nzimande
Deputy Minister of Basic Education, Enver Surty
MECs for Education
Heads of National and Provincial Education Departments
Representatives of Labour
Adjudicators of the National Teaching Awards
Teachers who have been nominated
Distinguished guests
Ladies and gentlemen
Good evening.
The occasion we are celebrating tonight affords us the opportunity to re-affirm the importance of teachers in our communities and in our society. It is a special occasion indeed, as we are also celebrating the 10th year of the National Teaching Awards.
A decade ago these awards were established with the clear purpose of celebrating, honouring and giving recognition to teachers who excel. These are the women and men who give their best so that our children can achieve their potential. Hard working teachers deserve praise and acknowledgement, and should serve to inspire others.
Ladies and gentlemen
Education lies at the centre of our response to the challenge of poverty and unemployment. A quality education is essential for breaking the cycle of poverty that affects so many within our society.
A central pillar of the programme of this government is to improve the quality of schooling, particularly performance in mathematics, science, and technology and language development.
Our vision enjoins us to ensure that:
* Teachers are in class, on time, teaching, and using available resources competently
* The quality of early childhood education and education in primary schools is improved
* External assessments of learners at grade 3 and 6 are conducted every year, and the results made available to parents
* Teachers are evaluated in relation to improvement in learner performance
* Teacher unions have a greater role in formal, funded teacher development
* The management capacity at district level is strengthened so that schools can be more effectively supported
* The use of information and communication technologies in education is expanded
* The national-provincial alignment is achieved and efficiency of education expenditure is improved
* A social compact which ensures the involvement of all stakeholders towards improving education quality is developed.
We need to see a visible improvement in outputs in our schools. We expect our teachers to go beyond the usual. They must nurture our children through effective teaching of life skills and life orientation. This will better prepare children not only for the demands of adult life, but also for the needs of a modern economy and a democratic society. Life skills education is a very positive development in our education system and we would like to pursue its implementation further.
Ladies and gentlemen, our goals are very simple. We want to increase the number of learners who pass grade 12 with a university pass, especially in mathematics and science. We therefore need to invest in teacher training, including management skills. We also must pay continuous attention to improving safety in our schools, to improved transport and to adequate school nutrition schemes.
Earlier this week, the Minister of Finance announced that funding for the primary school nutrition programme will be increased, to reach 8,6 million children in the year 2012/13. This is particularly important for children from poor families, and is essential to aid concentration and attendance.
We want our schools to be centres of excellence where teachers and pupils can explore and achieve their full potential. We have a lot that still needs to be done, but we are confident that we will make progress given the commitment shown by our teachers and all stakeholders in education.
Ladies and gentlemen
You will recall that in August we met school principals in Durban. We discussed how we should take forward the campaign to ensure quality learning and teaching in our schools.
The meeting enabled us to share our vision for schools directly with the school managers, key players in the education of our children. A lot of work has been done since that meeting, which served to galvanise the managers of our schools into action to promote quality teaching and learning.
There have been follow up activities, located within the Quality Teaching and Learning Campaign. The campaign has also begun to see a partnership forged between the Department of Basic Education, teacher unions, student formations, school governing bodies, and community organisations. The campaign is built around what we termed the 'non-negotiables' of education.
I am pleased that each of the above sectors has made a public commitment to meet their obligations towards the campaign. A successful business breakfast was held recently at the Sandton Convention Centre to introduce the campaign to the business sector, who solidly endorsed its goals.
This proves again that together we can achieve more in the improvement of the quality of our education. We have indeed moved a step forward in this campaign. Since the meeting with principals, the Education Department has also shared the reports with colleagues in provinces. Some of them have convened their own follow-up forums to spread the message.
In addition, I am pleased that Minister Motshekga has addressed the South African Principals' Association, the formal structure representing school leaders, and they have also pledged their strong support for the initiative we started in August.
Various teacher organisations, including South African Democratic Teacher's Union (SADTU), National Professional Teachers of South Africa (NAPTOSA) and the Professional Educators Union, and other key role players have all pledged their commitment to the codes of good practice.
Ladies and gentlemen
Even as we celebrate excellence in education, let us not forget other challenges that confront our nation. I addressed the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) earlier today and called for renewed action in the fight against HIV and AIDS. I said that we needed to do more, and do better, if we are to make any progress in this battle against a disease that is threatening the health of our nation.
The Minister of Finance has announced that Government expenditure on the HIV and AIDS programme will receive an additional R5,4 billion over the next three years. That indicates that government is firmly committed to play its part. However, individuals and other sectors must also play their part.
We call on teachers to join us in this renewed focus, by being open about the disease and its impact, and through educating children and communities. In the State of the Nation address we stated the objective of halving new infections by 50% by the year 2011. We must all work together towards this target.
Ladies and gentlemen
Tonight is indeed an occasion for celebration. Our teachers have clearly demonstrated their commitment to quality education and the development of our children. The winners tonight indeed, all the nominees are true South African patriots.
I am certain that all these teachers would agree that the core business of our schooling system is to prepare our youth and children for lifelong learning. I therefore urge all of you to continue your outstanding work in our schools which contributes towards building a better country and a prosperous South Africa. Working together we will do more to ensure quality education for our children.
On behalf of government and the people of South Africa, I would like to give my special thanks to the teachers being honoured here today, as well as to all the other hard-working teachers across the country.
Congratulations, and continue the hard work!
I thank you.
Issued by: The Presidency
29 October 2009
