Learners from across South African have been encouraged to nominate their favourite teachers for the #MyTeacher award, a special category of the National Teaching Awards (NTAs) that will be held in October.
In her recorded message that was released on Tuesday, the Minister of the Department of Basic Education (DBE), Siviwe Gwarube called on learners to nominate their favourite teacher for the Minister’s Special Award.
The winner of this category is a teacher who will be nominated by a learner who believes they made a positive impact in their lives and have gone beyond the call of duty to help shape their lives.
Now in its 25th year, the NTAs celebrate and promote teachers who contribute positively to the education of millions of learners and go above and beyond their call of duty.
Learners who want to participate in the search for South Africa’s outstanding teacher will be expected to write a motivation letter about their favourite teacher who inspires them and why they deserve to win the special award. They must then record a 60 seconds video, dressed in their school uniform, telling their story and send it together with their motivation letter.
The special award teacher will be honoured alongside 15 other teachers who will be the winners of categories like the excellence in Grade R teaching, excellence in teaching mathematics, excellence in teaching physical science, excellence in teaching natural sciences, the Kadar Asmal lifetime achievement award and the well converted national best teacher award.
“October is Teacher Appreciation Month, and we are hosting the National Teacher Awards, an opportunity for us to recognize the incredible impact our educators have, not only on our learners, but in shaping society’s future,” said Gwarube.Nominations will close on September 15 and interested learners can submit their entries on the department’s website, www.education.gov.za/MinistersSpecialAward.aspx.