The Free State and Gauteng Provinces demonstrated excellence in improving quality learning outcomes in the Basic Education Sector during the National Education Excellence Awards with Fezile Dabi District from the Free State Province scooping several prizes in various categories. The Awards were presented by Basic Education Minister, Mrs Angie Motshekga, at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg on 15 March 2019.
“It is unprecedented that the ten top performing districts in the country are from only two provinces. It is the first time that this has happened in the 25 year history of our democratic dispensation. Four of the top ten districts performed at more than 85% and six of the top ten districts performed beyond the 90% glass ceiling,” said a clearly pleased Minister Motshekga during the Awards Ceremony.
Since 2014, the Awards have been one of the initiatives put in place to acknowledge and recognise the sterling work carried out by school principals and district directors who continue to excel despite the challenges experienced in various school communities.
“I feel honoured and privileged to host our 6th National Annual Education Excellence Awards for the very last time in this current administration’s term of office. I would like to extend a special thanks to all district directors and school principals, who work tirelessly in ensuring that the march towards excellence in public schooling is never derailed. Districts are a crucial interface of the Sector. Our system of Basic Education can only succeed, if the pulse that connects all the dots from across all the corners of our schooling system remains intact at all times,” Minister Motshekga continued.
“The work of districts and schools is of singular importance, because it is not about the work of an individual, but it’s about the work of a collective, a team. These Awards therefore, celebrate excellence in team work – a whole school, circuit and district – and not the individuals that happen to be at the helm, important though as they may be. As they say in football: ‘Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence wins championships!’” Minister Motshekga concluded.