Johannesburg - Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga has urged educators to raise the standard of teaching to improve the quality of education.
"Teach like you've never taught before. Leave a legacy," Motshekga said at the Annual National Teaching Awards at the Sandton Convention Centre.
Motshekga outlined her department's priorities for 2012, which include reducing absenteeism, promoting professional conduct among teacher union members, filling vacant post and attracting young people to the profession.
"As we said in the action plan, we want teachers who are confident, well-trained, and continually improving their capabilities," said the minister.
"Improving educational quality is our challenge and necessarily, improving quality is our highest priority. With limited resources, and educational services expanded to embrace over 12 million learners, we have a school infrastructure backlog to tackle."
Motshekga said this was a reality impacting on the right of children to learn in a conducive environment.
To address the infrastructural backlog, government has, from 2000 to date, built 1 206 schools, 38 664 additional classrooms, provided water to 5 214 schools, sanitation to 10 621, provided toilets to 28 805, electrified 2 847, and fenced 2 655 schools.
"These interventions go towards creating a climate for quality teaching and learning. From this will flow improved learner outcomes ..." she said.
Motshekga said her department was working towards implementing the Accord on Basic Education signed in 2011.
"This people-driven accord, which is part of the New Growth Path social dialogue, will give impetus to the multi-stakeholder Quality of Teaching and Learning Campaign," she said.
