Educators from one of the country’s poorest provinces excel in maths and science contest
For the second year running, an under-resourced, rural school in Northern Province has produced the winner of the Maths and Science Teacher of the Year Award.
When Nelson Mphaga collected the prize at the Sowetan/Telkom Protec Awards, he was bubbling with zeal. “Instead of retiring one day, I will work for no pay for the upliftment of my community through the upgrading of science and technology,” he said.
Mphaga is a matric science teacher at Tshadama Secondary School in Thohoyandou. Last year Stanley Kota Thabane, also from Thohoyandou, won the prize.
No stranger to awards, Mphaga has received medals for his achievements and contributions to science and technology.
He also started a science club for disabled children. “I really love teaching and being an active participant in the community,” he said.
The national winner in the retired category, Saigneth Ngobeni from Giyani in Northern Province, said: “When you are a teacher your contribution goes straight to the community. You are reinvesting in humanity.”
A teacher for 36 years, Ngobeni retired as chief director in the Northern Province Department of Education in 1994. “Your name remains for eternity – because you can enjoy watching the progress of those you have taught. People like Mathews Phosa have been my products, and when they greet you as an ex-teacher, it feels great,” he said. The father of eight still lectures in maths teaching methods to teachers in Giyani. He is currently researching for a doctorate in maths on the differences in style between men and women.
Initiated in 1998, the Maths and Science Teacher of the Year Award is open to practising and retired teachers, who are nominated by parents, peers and learners. “Little is ever said about our educators in our society and yet educators play such a significant role in the development of a nation,” said Nkosinathi Pahlana, acting senior manager of the Telkom Foundation.
Last year Telkom spent over R12-million on maths, science and technology development projects, including the Telkom 1000 initiative, which saw 1 000 schools in disadvantaged areas benefiting from computers and internet connections.
– The Teacher/M&G Media, Johannesburg, December 2001.