1. The National Teaching Awards recognise excellence and high levels of professionalism, and provide the education fraternity with the opportunity to celebrate the achievements of outstanding teachers. Furthermore, they highlight the exceptional work done by teachers in general. The Western Cape Education Department is, therefore, proud to host and organise the provincial awards ceremony for the National Teaching Awards.
2. The different award categories are as follows: 
EXCELLENCE IN EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT
EXCELLENCE IN PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHING
EXCELLENCE IN SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHING
EXCELLENCE IN PRIMARY SCHOOL LEADERSHIP
EXCELLENCE IN SECONDARY SCHOOL LEADERSHIP 
EXCELLENCE IN INCLUSIVE EDUCATION AND SPECIAL NEEDS TEACHING
EXCELLENCE IN ADULT BASIC EDUCATION AND TRAINING 
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

There will also be monetary awards for schools at which cluster winners, provincial winners and national winners teach.
3. All teachers are invited to participate in this process by submitting nominations (criteria and format attached) to their principals or centre managers, who will then send them to their respective education management and development centres (EMDCs). Should you require further information, please contact one of the following EMDC co-ordinators: 
South Cape & Karoo:      Dr Fernholdt Galant               028 713 2928
Breede River & Overberg: Johan van Tonder                  028 414 1321
West Coast & Winelands:  JA Mouton & 
                         Dr Michael le Cordeur 022 482 1383
Metropole South:         Karen Dudley & Dryfus Jonas       021 370 2000
Metropole East:          Philip Saunders & Nelson Mama     021 903 1729
Metropole North:         Trevor Adams & Spencer Tonkin     021 938 3000
Metropole Central:       Alton Koense                      021 659 4375
4. Nomination forms and further information can be downloaded from the website of the Directorate: Human Resource Development at http://www.hrd.wcape.school.za
5. The closing date for all nominations is 28 July 2006.
6. Kindly bring the contents of this minute to the attention of all members of your teaching staff.


SIGNED: E.D. KIRSTEN
HEAD: EDUCATION
DATE: 2006:06:01