The DBE salutes all schools and teachers who have entered the 2024 National Teaching Awards (NTAs). Nominations for the 2024 NTAs closed on 31 May 2024. The NTAs scheme was conceptualised and launched in 2000 and this year, enters its 24th year of implementation. The NTAs programme is one of the ways in which the DBE acknowledges the extraordinary dedication and effort of excellent teachers, often under very difficult conditions.

The NTAs are part of the annual Teacher Appreciation and Support Programme (TASP) to focus public attention on the positive aspects of Basic Education, thereby raising the public image of the teaching profession; recognise and promote excellence in teaching performance; and honour dedicated creative and effective teachers. The NTAs have been refined and broadened in terms of its frame and categories for this year, and offer 15 categories:

1. Excellence in Grade R Teaching;
2. Excellence in Primary School Teaching;
3. Excellence in Primary School Leadership;
4. Excellence in Secondary School Teaching;
5. Excellence in Secondary School Leadership;
6. Excellence in Special Needs Teaching;
7. Excellence in Special Needs Leadership;
8. Excellence in Teaching Mathematics (GET);
9. Excellence in Teaching Mathematics (FET);
10. Excellence in Teaching Natural Sciences;
11. Excellence in Teaching Physical Sciences;
12. Excellence in Technology – Enhanced, Teaching and Learning;
13. Excellence in Teaching Life Skills (Gr 1-6);
14. Kader Asmal Lifetime Achievement Award; and
15. National Best Teacher Award.

The concept of appreciating and recognising teachers has gained global prominence and as a result, South African teachers are encouraged to participate and shine on the global stage. Some of the awards that are open to South African teachers are the African Union (AU) Teachers’ Award; the Global Teacher Prize (GTP); and the Commonwealth Education Awards.

Ms Vonani Mathonsi, Director for Continuing Professional Teacher Education, explained that, “All candidates being selected to participate in the NTAs from school to national level must complete a vetting/declaration form as an affirmation that they are in good standing. Teachers who are suspended or under investigation will have to wait until they are cleared before they can proceed to the national level. PEDs will submit communication from SACE indicating that the list of teachers, signed off by the HoD are in good standing, and the DBE will conduct a final SACE verification on all nominees prior to the Director-General approving the final national results. The National Best Teacher Award is designed and benchmarked against international and continental awards, the Global Teacher Prize (GTP); the Commonwealth Educational Awards; (CEA) and the African Union (AU) Teacher Prize. This award will honour the best teachers and school leaders to represent South Africa in the Global Teacher Prize which is presented annually to an exceptional teacher who has made an outstanding contribution to their profession. Those teachers will embody the skills which focus more on transforming the lives of learners and the community.