Tribute to Western Cape teachers on World Teachers’ Day
5 October 2020
Happy World Teachers’ Day, and month, to all our teachers in the WCED.
This year’s theme is appropriately: “Teachers: leading in a crisis, reimagining the future”.
“2020 has been an incredibly challenging year for the education system, and our teachers have had to completely change the way they approach teaching. We saw some incredible examples of ingenuity and perseverance during lockdown, as teachers turned to everyday apps and programmes to ensure that learning continued during the long school closure,” said Minister Schafer on World Teachers’ Day, 5 October 2020.
“We are proud of the way that so many of our teachers stepped up and set the example for our learners. The attitude of our teachers and other staff during the phasing in process made all the difference in calming our learners’ nerves and helping them to adjust to the ‘new normal’ of attending school during the Covid-19 pandemic.”
Head of Department Brian Schreuder thanked all teachers, saying that they “touch the future”.
“I want to celebrate all WCED teachers, all South African teachers and all teachers across the globe. You do incredible work and it’s been a tough year. Thank you for the work that you do,” he said.
Minister Schafer and Brian Schreuder also acknowledged teachers and staff who had lost their lives as a result of Covid-19.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of 31 of our teachers to Covid-19 since the lockdown began. We think of them especially today, along with the other teachers and staff who have passed away this year, and offer our sincere condolences to their families, colleagues and schools,” said Minister Schafer.
The WCED thanks and applauds our educators during this very special month!