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Telkom Educator of the Year

Are you one of SA’s best Maths, Science or Technology educators?

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 11:25

The hunt is on for the best Maths, Science and Technology educators in South Africa and those who emerge top of the class will be recognised and rewarded under the banner of the Telkom Educator of the Year Awards.

The launch of the new educator awards took place on Wednesday, 27 May 2009, at Johannesburg’s Westcliff Hotel under the auspices of the Telkom Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of Telkom.

“The technological innovations that define our age have brought about a profound change in the skill requirements of the global workforce. The knowledge workers of tomorrow, of which the global economy will demand ever-increasing numbers, will have to demonstrate heightened intellectual prowess – a requirement that will be difficult to meet without a solid foundation in Maths, Science and Technology,” says Prelene Schmidt, acting CEO of the Telkom Foundation.

She adds: “As an ICT Company, it is obvious why Telkom’s focus is on Maths, Science and Technology education. But more importantly, we are also acutely aware that the skills reservoir in our country is quite shallow in these fields.

"If we are to grow our economy, every effort needs to be ploughed into bolstering our Maths, Science and Technology proficiency at all levels in our country."

The Telkom Foundation has been involved in several initiatives to enhance the quality of education in the country.

For instance, under the banner of the 2010 Schools Connectivity Initiative, the Telkom Foundation launched an initiative earlier this year which aims to connect two thousand and ten disadvantaged schools to the Internet countrywide by December 2010 and to facilitate more effective teaching and learning through the use of multi-media in the classroom. All beneficiary schools will be identified by the national and provincial Education Departments.

“We are also in the process of bringing the Education Departments at provincial and national levels fully on board in order to make the Maths, Science and Technology educator awards a resounding success,” states Schmidt.

In all, seven educators will walk away with the prestige of being among South Africa’s best educators in the Maths, Science and Technology learning areas.

Six educators, three each from primary school and secondary school level respectively, will each win laptops and R15 000.00 for emerging victorious in their category, namely, Maths, Science or Technology.

“In addition, there will be a seventh category, our retired Educator of the Year, who will receive a laptop and R20 000.00 in cash,” enthuses Schmidt.

Many qualified educators had to come out of retirement due to the scarcity of certified teachers in the above-mentioned subject matters. “These educators have passionately dedicated many years to their profession and it is fitting to recognise and reward them for this,” explains Schmidt.

Those who take the trouble to nominate deserving educators also stand a chance to win. “Laptops will be awarded to seven lucky people who vote for one of the eventual winners,” says Schmidt.

“Telkom is confident that rewarding our top educators in the Maths, Science and Technology spheres, will prove significant in motivating our educators to dedicate more energy towards quality lessons in the classroom and shifting negative learner mindsets about these learning areas.

"It is also our way of expressing our gratitude to those educators who toil against huge odds to make a difference in the lives of their learners," emphasises Schmidt.

She explains that Telkom also aims to cultivate positive attitudes among educators and learners towards Maths, Science and Technology in a fun way.

“For example, we will work with CHESS SA to establish and equip chess clubs at various schools with a view towards sharpening logical and analytical thinking – qualities that are bound to enhance Maths, Science and Technology competencies,” says Schmidt.

Schmidt firmly believes that the Telkom Educator of the Year Awards are bound to prove successful in raising the bar in the fields of Maths, Science and Technology as “education in South Africa stands on the threshold of various new and exciting beginnings”.

“As we know, 2008 heralded the first national examination for Grade 12 learners based on the country’s National Curriculum Statement (NCS). This year, for the first time, we have two education ministers – one for Basic Education and one for Higher Education and Training.

If more stakeholders from the private and public sectors launch initiatives to bolster the quality of teaching and learning in South Africa, our collective efforts will significantly enhance the positive incremental gains that have been made with regard to the overall education system in South Africa,” concludes Schmidt.

Entry forms for the Telkom Educator of the Year Awards are available online or from all Telkom Direct stores.

Nomination and voting is possible via SMS (33721), fax (086 614 5804), telephone (0867 22 22 888) email and selected radio stations, details of which are available on the entry form and website.

Nominations and voting commence on 28 May 2009 and will end a month later on 28 June 2009. The judging process will ensue shortly after and a gala awards evening is scheduled for 22 August 2009.