Free State teachers scoop top honours

Staff Reporter

The five participants from the Free State who entered the National Teaching Awards (NTA) have all claimed top honours as overall winners at the prestigious annual competition.

First to put the province on the map at the glittering ceremony held at the Emperor’s Palace, Johannesburg, on Wednesday was Nneheng Thamae from Megheleng Primary School in Thabo Mofutsanyane district who came out tops in the Grade R Teaching Category.

Awonke Tshefu from Unicom Agricultural School in Motheo district was also first in the Physical Science Teaching Category.

Jerry Bongane Mokoena from Kgolathuto Secondary School in Thabo Mofutsanyane district came third in the Secondary School Leadership Category.

Dr Thabo France Sithole from Phillipolis Secondary School was second in the S/Hero Award.

Nhlakanipho Lindokuhle Lesedi Nkosi, a learner from Tlotlanang Secondary School in Motheo district, was first in the Best Learner Category.

“I am proud of you, keep the torch shining (in) the entire province,” said Makgoe in a statement released by his office.

“Your efforts are recognised during these difficult times of the pandemic and against all odds you continued to soldier on,” he added.

The awards ceremony was held just a day after the International Teachers’ Day which was celebrated under the theme: ‘Teachers at the Heart of Education Recovery’.

“Your achievements at the national awards have continued to put the Free State province on the map. Without teachers of your calibre our department wouldn’t exist. You remain important to this sector,” said the MEC.

Makgoe also encouraged those who did not make it in the competition to never be discouraged and try again next year.

The provincial education department has dedicated the month of October to acknowledging the work of teachers and the impact they have on the lives of learners as well as those who have gone through school.

It is doing this through a campaign with the hashtag #ThankYouTeacher, to encourage the public to thank a specific teacher that had an impact on their lives.

According to the department, the teaching profession should be acknowledged for the important role it plays in the development and growth of any society.

The education department encourages all teachers to enter the NTA competition in order to showcase the positive role they play within their communities.