Pretoria - The Gauteng Department of Education joined the world in celebrating World Teachers Day on Monday.
The department has wished all educators in the province and across the globe a happy one, and urged everyone across the globe to observe the day and give appreciation to the vital role that teachers play in shaping young minds and developing them into dynamic beings.
“As we celebrate, we are mindful of the role the educators play in shaping the minds of young people to become leaders, entrepreneurs and professionals in various fields of work,” the department said.
The day aims to mobilise support for teachers and ensuring that a significant token of awareness, understanding and appreciation is displayed for the vital contribution that educators make to shape the lives of many.
“The enormous and significant role of teachers is not only limited to education in the classroom, but teachers often find themselves in situations where they have to play the roles of mothers, doctors and social workers.
“We often say that teaching is the profession that gives birth to all other professions,” said the department.
The department has adopted a mission that seeks to provide functional and modern schools that enable quality teaching and learning, to protect and promote the right of every learner to quality, equitable and relevant education.
It said the mission can never be realised without the commitment of educators.
“MEC Panyaza Lesufi is currently leading a process which has made submissions to the Presidential Remuneration Review Commission on the policy proposals and recommendations for the attraction and retention of educators in the public education system.
“Amongst the proposals which the MEC has submitted, is the Tax incentive exemption for educators in the public education system. This demonstrates the department’s commitment to ensure that a decent working environment is created for educators and a living wage which allows salaries of educators to ensure them decent living conditions,” said the department. - SAnews.gov.za
