By Johannah Malogadihlare
The Western Cape education department is encouraging its citizens to show their
appreciation for teachers as October is National Teacher Appreciation Month.
With World Teachers’ Day being on Saturday, the department has called on the public
to make the day more memorable by showering teachers with words of gratitude on
social media using the hashtag #ThankAteacher.
The department said on Tuesday that educators played a critical role in the upbringing
of children and they should be valued.
“Teachers shape the lives of our youth and provide them with the tools to succeed in the
workplace and as leaders in society. They make a lasting and positive influence on our
lives and that of our children, and this should be acknowledged,” said education MEC
David Maynier.
“We are also encouraging our learners to write a letter or card to their teacher, or draw a
picture for their special teacher, to share with them in the run up to World Teachers’
Day. These small gestures of thanks go such a long way.”
He said that as the province celebrated this noble profession, he was well aware of the
pressure that the “national fiscal emergency” had placed on educators and schools.
“We will continue to work with other provinces through the Council of Education
Ministers to outline the scale of the challenges facing provincial education departments,
and to fight for our teachers,” Maynier said.
INSIDE EDUCATION
