WINDHOEK – The efforts of primary school teachers in nurturing and transforming different individual into academicians to realise their dreams have not gone unnoticed.
Last Thursday 182 principals and teachers from different schools in the Khomas Region were awarded for their outstanding performances.
Prize money of N$5 000, certificates and floating trophies were awarded to top performing schools and individuals received certificates.
“I want to acknowledge the vital role played by school principals and teachers, especially primary teachers because the results we are celebrating now are products of primary schools. It is befitting that you are here and we value your contributions and acknowledge you as incubators of the future leaders,” stated the Minister of Education, Arts and Culture Katrina Hanse-Himarwa in a speech read on her behalf by her deputy Anna Nghipondoka.
She said a solid foundation is paramount to teaching and learning, as without that there will not be any smooth school cycle for children because teachers are an integral part to people’s lives.
“Primary teachers must know they are makers or breakers of our nation through either successful or unsuccessful school careers of our learners,” she stated.
In the same vein, the Director of Education for Khomas Gerard Vries said the motivational roles which teachers play in learners’ lives are neglected and undervalued. “Often we neglect to value our teachers, the motivational roles fulfilled in classrooms and most importantly the guiding and nurturing roles teacher play on a daily basis in the lives of learners,” stated the director.
He further said teaching is one of the rare professions where you can get a clean slate every year, adding that the award event brings new hope and possibilities. “It is not often that you as teachers get public recognition for the hard work, sacrifice and long hours of toil that you put in to ensuring learners get every opportunity for success,” said Vries at the award ceremony.
Encouraging the teachers to work hard, Vries said the essence of true success only comes to those who are prepared to work tirelessly with a goal in mind.