DDG - Mr Brian Schreuder
Mr Eddie Kirsten Director: Human Resource Development and other senior officials of WCED
The Sowetan - Victor Mecoamere, Special Projects Editor, Sowetan
Telkom Foundation - Nkosinathi Pahlana, Project Manager, Education & Training, Telkom Foundation
Learners from Fezeka High School
The provincial adjudication team
Staff members of Makwetla and Associates
All participating entrants and finalists
In an interview with the webmagazine, joburg.org.za in January 2003, a year before his death, Aggrey Klaaste was asked how does he want to be remembered.
He expressed himself strongly and said: "I hate people being abused. And I want to be remembered as having done something for abused people." Well, I think he will be remembered for much more than that.
Tonight we not only honour and give recognition to those teachers who have managed to motivate, inspire and produce good results in Maths and Science during the past 10-20 years, but we also honour the memory of a great and humble South African.
Aggrey Klaaste passed away in June 2004, at the age of 64. He was a respected journalist. Amongst many other things, he will best be remembered for his Nation Building initiative, which he introduced when he became Editor of the Sowetan newspaper in 1988, during the most turbulent time in the history of Apartheid South Africa.
He revealed in a media interview that when he went to Wits University in 1958, he was "shocked" to see so many white people. He said "it was just a sea of white people. It was a helluva disconcerting experience?" [http://www.joburg.org.za/2004/june/june21_klasste.stm]
The reason why Klaaste initiated the Nation Building project, was because he was not the type of person who could stand by and watch "as society's moral structure was destroyed".
Of course we know that Klaaste introduced this project, with the overall aim to try to repair the damage apartheid had wrought on the structures within black communities across the country.
One way of doing this, was to identify people who, despite severe hardships imposed by the government's discriminatory policies, had risen above their circumstances and set a remarkable example by their actions. These achievements were to be recognised by giving awards, like we are doing tonight.
Klaaste, who was one of eight children, was born in Kimberley but spent most of his life in Johannesburg. His family moved when he was three, and his father became a clerk on the mines.
They lived in Sophiatown, but when the town was cruelly and roughly dismantled in 1955, they had to move to Meadowlands, Soweto. He stayed in the township until his death two-and-a-half years ago.[http://www.joburg.org.za/people/aggrey_klaaste.stm]
Tonight we honour the memory and legacy of Aggrey Klaaste, by giving recognition to those teachers who engaged in outstanding practices, who contributed to dispel the myths linked to Maths and Science as subjects in school.
I understand this is the eight annual awards ceremony of the Maths, Science & Technology Educator of the Year Awards, which arguably is one of the most successful projects in the Aggrey Klaaste Nation Building portfolio.
Over the past few years, these exciting Maths, Science and Technology awards have become a prestigious programme that continues to uncover top teachers among South Africa's plentiful teachers.
Ladies and Gentlemen, we all are aware of the importance of Maths, Science and Technology (MST) in any society. In fact, it is central to the growth and development of any country.
As the education system we are central to producing citizens with sound knowledge of the subject matter, who can enter university and graduate successfully, to become a productive member of society.
As Mr Brian Scheuder has pointed out in his address, the WCED has put in place various interventions in pursuit of producing more learners with good maths and science results.
We have seen plenty of evidence of what is possible, and as Mr Schreuder pointed out, Cosat and the Cape Academy are shining examples of success stories - the challenge is to replicate this throughout the broader school community.
With the introduction of Maths or Mathematical Literacy as a compulsory subject in the Further Education and Training (FET) band, it means the challenge has doubled.
I am happy to say that there had been some increases in the quality of the 2006 matric results: 79 more learners sat Maths Higher Grade last year; and of the 4,741 candidates who wrote Science on the Higher Grade, 4,053 passed: this is 688 more learners than in 2005.
However, as I said, although we are proud of our achievements, we can and must do better. That is why, by the end of this month I want each high school in the province to set an overall pass target, a Matric Endorsement target and Maths/Science targets for 2007. These targets must be formally signed off by the School Governing Body, including the RCL representatives.
The targets must be measurable, meaningful, made public, monitored and met. I also want to link performance contracts of officials to the setting of these targets, and make sure that there is enough support and mentoring for schools.
Ladies and Gentlemen, the Nation Building initiative of the late Aggrey Klaaste is a mammoth project; and is sponsored by Telkom Foundation and Sowetan; and managed by a central organising committee, which is made up of representatives from the Telkom Foundation, Sowetan (Aggrey Klaaste Nation Building Foundation) and Makwetla & Associates.
The core objectives of the The Aggrey Klaaste Maths, Science & Technology Educator of the Year Awards have been developed around a few pillars:
To identify teachers who have managed to motivate, inspire and produce good results in Maths and Science during the past 10-20 years;to identify, record and publish the qualities and characteristics of practice that made these teachers stand out; and to award practicing and retired educators in recognition of their efforts to dispel the myths linked to these subjects.
These extraordinary educators work tirelessly to improve the quality of teaching and learning of Maths, Science and Technology in their schools and communities.
Educators are nominated by their learners, community members, principals and other teachers in all nine provinces. The competition is open only to teachers in public schools.
Those who meet the criteria are then short listed and interviewed by a judging panel comprising the Western Cape Education Department's (WCED) Maths, Science and Technology specialists, where a winner is announced in the Retired Educator, General Education Training (GET) and Further Education Training (FET) categories.
To all the nominees and finalists, we are proud of the fact that you have demonstrated a love for Maths, Science and Technology, and that your are willing to try new ideas and always strive to improve the learning experience for the child in the classroom.
I am told that tonight's finalists have the ability to encourage learners to become independent and instil in them love for the subjects; that they all have good track records; they lead by example and are respected by their peers and their communities.
I am told that tonight's finalists frequently involve learners in practical work such as investigations or projects over a period of time to explain and demonstrate Maths, Science and Technology.
Tonight's finalists are qualified teachers, and have demonstrated the necessary skill and knowledge of the subject by being prepared with well-organized lessons and lesson plans.
I want to thank all of the nominees and finalists, for your love and dedication to your work with our children in schools; for life-long learning to improve your personal self.
I want to thank all of you for working many hours to enhance learners' educational performance in the areas of maths, science and technology, and for encouraging learners to discover and explore the subjects using a range of appropriate methods.
Thank you very much to the judging panel, to our officials, and of course to all the sponsors and business associates. I also want to acknowledge and say thank you to last year's winners who represented WCED at the National Round.
They are Ms Sonette Strydom (De Hoop Primary School), Mr Adnaan Ederies (South Peninsula High School) and Mr Victor Ritchie, who is retired. Let's all please give them a good round of applause.
Earlier this year, with the launch of the MTN Science bus, the WCED also awarded four teachers this year for excellence and innovation in teaching and learning, at which each received R10,000. They were Mr M Kleyi for maths (Percy Mdala High School), Mr T Mcunu for Science (Thandokulu), Mrs P Cooper for maths and Mr J Jacobs (Computer Studies) - both from Cosat.
The national department is initiating a pilot scheme for incentives for teachers in the Dinaledi schools linked to professional development where teachers may receive incentives of R50,000 over three years for engaging in professional development and passing assessments linked to this training.
To the eventual winners tonight, you will be invited to the National Final Awards banquet in Johannesburg. I am sure that you will represent us strongly, and that you will do us proud. Please relax and enjoy the rest of the evening with us.I thank you.
