Teachers form the crucial link in the education chain. Irrespective of the amount budgeted for education or how motivated learners are – without teachers the education system cannot function.
Teachers form the crucial link in the education chain. Irrespective of the amount budgeted for education or how motivated learners are – without teachers the education system cannot function.
So says the Federation of Governing Bodies of South African Schools who are encouraging us to celebrate World Teachers’ Day on 16 October (the United Nations celebrates this day annually on 5 October, but this date is during our school holiday so we're having ours on the first Friday of the new term).
The day is an international opportunity to thank teachers for their important role and this year the international theme is “Empowering teachers, building sustainable societies”.
“This theme acknowledges the important role of educators – not only in the lives of individual learners, but also in society as a whole,” says Dr Jaco Deacon, Deputy CEO of FEDSAS.
“Do something special on 16 October this year. Contact your old school or a teacher who made a difference in your life. Write a letter or a poem, treat them to a tea party or simply send flowers – any show of appreciation to acknowledge the work that teachers do.”
The FEDSAS Facebook page is also available to post stories and photos of the difference that teachers made to people’s lives. Former and current learners can also visit www.myoldschool.co.za to make a difference.
This year, FEDSAS will also take part in Independent Media’s My Teacher, My Compass campaign. As part of the campaign, learners may nominate a teacher by visiting www.iol.co.za and writing a 200-word piece on why this teacher is a compass in their lives.
The best three nominations will be published in a supplement in a number of Independent newspapers on 8 October 2015. “FEDSAS encourages everyone to make use of any of these opportunities to tell teachers about the difference that they make.
Positive feedback of this nature adds value to the profession, which holds long-term benefits for everyone,” says Deacon.
