1. The National Teaching Awards (NTA) recognise excellence and high levels of professionalism and provide the education fraternity with the opportunity to celebrate the achievements of outstanding teachers. Furthermore the exceptional work done by teachers in general is highlighted.

2. The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) is, therefore, proud to present and host the 15th annual provincial awards ceremony, preliminary to the 15th Annual NTA ceremony.

3. An electronic version of the Information Guide, containing the nomination forms and qualifying criteria will be sent to schools in due course. A hard copy will reach all WCED institutions at the beginning of the 3rd term.

4. All teachers, school governing bodies and district officials are invited to submit nominations, based on the criteria contained in the Information Guide, to their principals or centre managers.

5. Deserving teachers may be nominated in the following categories:

  • Excellence in Primary School Teaching
  • Excellence in Secondary School Teaching
  • Excellence in Primary School Leadership
  • Excellence in Secondary School Leadership
  • Excellence in Grade R Teaching
  • Excellence in Special Needs Teaching
  • Excellence in Information and Communication Technology - Enhanced Teaching
  • Excellence in Mathematics Teaching (FET)
  • Excellence in Science Teaching (Physical Science, FET)
  • Lifetime Achievement Award
6. Principals and centre managers are requested to forward the completed nomination forms to their respective education district offices for the attention of the district co-ordinators. Should you require additional information, please contact the applicable district co-ordinator listed below:

District District Co-ordinator(s) Contact Details E-mail address
Metropole East Mr Keith de Wet 021 900 7036/
082 825 3023		 Keith.DeWet@westerncape.gov.za
Metropole Central Mr Leopold van der Rheede 021 514 6723 Leopold.VanderRede@westerncape.gov.za
Metropole North Ms Patricia le Roux 021 938 3006/
079 898 6644		 Patricia.leRoux@westerncape.gov.za
Mr Trevor Adams 021 938 3016/
083 653 6815		 Trevor.Adams@westerncape.gov.za
Metropole South Mr Rachart Job 021 370 2007/
071 877 9653		 Rachart.Job@westerncape.gov.za
Cape Winelands Mr Alton Koenze 023 348 4673/
082 462 8916		 Alton.Koenze@westerncape.gov.za
Ms Jeanette Harker 023 348 4676/
082 726 4853		 Jeanette.Harker@westerncape.gov.za
Eden & Central Karoo Mr Tom Willems 044 803 8308/
083 456 1686		 Tom.Willems@westerncape.gov.za
Overberg Mr Edward Kies 028 214 7367
084 583 5008		 Edward.Kies@westerncape.gov.za
West Coast Mr Avril Daniels 022 482 2737/
083 289 8437		 Avril.Daniels@westerncape.gov.za
Mr George Claasen 027 213 1795
083 321 4699		 George.Claasen@westerncape.gov.za

7. Your attention is drawn to the following extracts from the nomination guide:

  • The principal/chairperson of the nomination team must organise a nomination meeting that would include the School Governing Body (SGB) to discuss the nomination process.

  • The staff and the SGB members of the school must study the criteria requirements of each category and draw up attributes or qualities that would match their nominees with particular given criteria.

  • Once suitable teachers/teams have been nominated, their names must be filled in on the Nomination Forms provided.

  • District Officials/Regional Officials may also nominate in consultation with the school.
8. A maximum of five teachers may form a team per category.

9. Principals and centre managers are compelled to hold a nomination meeting by no later than 30 July 2014. Minutes of the meeting must be kept and submitted to the IMG Manager, for the attention of the relevant district co-ordinator.

10. The closing date for the submission of all nomination forms to the district co-ordinators is 15 August 2014.

11. Cluster and provincial finalists (winners and runners-up) will each receive Information and Communication Technology (ICT) vouchers of different values to be redeemed at a reputable ICT service provider, i.e.

Level Value of ICT Voucher
Cluster winners R 4 000
Cluster runners-up (2nd & 3rd) R 2 000
Provincial winners R 12 000
Provincial runners-up R 7 000

12. In addition, winning schools will each receive a cash award of R 5 000 (cluster) and R 7 500 (provincial) per school per finalist, to be used for professional development of the teaching staff to improve classroom practice.

13. The National Teaching Awards are supported by the Head of Education, unions, school governing body associations and the Provincial Minister of Education.

14. All members of the school community are encouraged to participate in nominating deserving teachers for National Teaching Awards.

15. Kindly bring the content of this minute to the attention of all teaching staff.


SIGNED: BK SCHREUDER
DEPUTY DIRECTOR-GENERAL: CURRICULUM AND ASSESSMENT MANAGEMENT
DATE: 2014:03:25