Photo: (PROUD: MEC Grizelda Cjiekella-Lecholo congratulates graduates).
MEC says sacrifices were made and calls on the 66 teachers to contribute in making schools centres of excellence
NORTHERN Cape education MEC Grizelda Cjiekella-Lecholo has congratulated teachers who graduated an intensive three-year BEd programme through Rhodes University.
"Graduation is a time of celebration and marks the end of one phase and the beginning of another," Cjiekella-Lecholo said at a ceremony in Kathu this week. "Your families have made extreme sacrifices during the past years. "We believe that learning outcomes will improve in the Northern Cape as a result of your input.
We call upon you to contribute to make our schools centres of excellence." Sixty-six teachers from the province were honoured when Sishen Iron Ore Company Community Development Trust (SIOC-cdt) hosted a graduation ceremony at the Kalahari Country Lodge in Kathu. The teachers underwent an intensive and innovative three-year BEd programme through Rhodes University for maths, English and foundation phase teaching. The programme was funded by SlOC-cdt in partnership with the provincial department of education.
The in-service programme targets practicing teachers and provides an opportunity to older ones. The graduation celebration was an august event with various dignitaries attending and a full entertainment programme. Most speakers agreed that the course was not a stroll, as they had to leave behind families and make huge sacrifices to complete the gruelling course.
Reuben Matlala, projects director of SlOC-ctd, congratulated the teachers who completed the degree.
"We grabbed the opportunity as SlOC-ctd to partner with the Northern Cape administration and Rhodes University on this important programme," he said. "As a trust with deep roots within the communities of the Northern Cape and Limpopo we have since our inception focused our investment towards education and training. "We view education as a critical catalyst for change in our beneficiary communities.''
Source: NEW AGE
Article by HENDR'E JACOBS
Photo: TNA