A Grassy Park principal clinched the Kader Asmal Lifetime Achievement Award in the province at the National Teaching Awards held on Friday 9 September.
Ridwan Samodien, principal of Kannemeyer Primary School in Grassy Park, said he was grateful and honoured to receive the award.
“The name in itself, being Kader Asmal award means there’s a lot attached to the award.
“I’ve given 42 years of my life to the children of South Africa. I have been blessed 22 years as the head of the institution that is now in our 61st year at a coloured school.”
Western Cape Education Minister David Maynier congratulated provincial winners of the National Teaching Awards on Friday night.
“This evening I was joined by the Premier of the Western Cape, Alan Winde, as the Western Cape Education Department announced the provincial winners of the 2022 National Teaching Awards. They will go on to represent us in the national competition next month.
“The one thing that the pandemic taught us is that school’s matter, and that teachers matter. I thank all of our teachers across the province for their innovation, dedication, integrity, commitment, courage, caring, and most importantly, the deep love that they have for the children of the Western Cape.”
Teachers, governing bodies and district officials were invited to submit nominations of teachers at registered public sector schools.
Samodien, speaking to the People’s Post about his years as an educator, said as teachers they have aligned their vision to ensure children received a quality education.
“Despite the derelict building, inside the four walls, is where the magic happens and that is where we stand to give quality education to children. We have aligned our vision for kids to receive quality education and not gutter education.
“So, over the years we have been able to improve the resources at the school, we have a science lab and we have a beautiful computer programme for children. So, when you receive this award, it comes along to say that you must be doing something right.”
He added that despite challenges it was important to show up and to give children a holistic education.
“We are focusing on the future and it’s up to us to show up differently to give kids a holistic education.
“We have worked to make this a healthy school and building and working consciously in building positive relationships.
“The energy at the school in the past 12 years at Kannemeyer is much healthier which creates fertile ground for learning.”
Meanwhile Premier Alan Winde said teachers are so much more than just educators.
“They often have to act as counsellors, guardians, protectors and life coaches of sorts, offering our learners education, hope and guidance, sometimes under challenging circumstances.
“I urge all our educators to keep up with their invaluable work. Thank you to all our teachers for all they do for our children and education system; and special congratulations to this evening’s winners.”
