06 Jun 2023

Southern region teachers have been urged to continue working hard despite the challenges they face.

Addressing educators during Teacher’s Day celebration in Kanye on Friday, Prof. Thapelo Otlogetswe said teachers of today were different from those of the past as they faced unique challenges among them drug addiction by learners, isolation, gender-based violence (GBV) and stress.

He said the modern teacher cannot resolve modern challenges by resorting to strategies of the past such as caning, spanking, pinching or sometimes punching students to instill discipline as the methods were increasingly frowned upon.

Prof. Otlogetswe asked teachers to think of students as external customers deserving the highest level of service.

He said the quality of students’ performance could only be raised by the quality of service delivered by teachers. 

While noting that the ability of a teacher to deliver content was important, he added that being service-focused was also critical to the success of improving student achievement.

The theme: The event Teach Today; Touch Lives Forever, he said, called upon all teachers to introspect and reflect, adding, ‘as you teach, ask yourself how you are touching the lives of students forever. 

Are we inspiring, encouraging, motivating and shaping our students to see a better future ahead?”

He further challenged them to continuously explore ways and opportunities to better themselves professionally for them to effectively transform the lives of learners.

For her part, Chief Education Officer Ms Barulaganye Moseki also reaffirmed that teachers needed support to perform well. 

Ms Moseki urged all teachers to contribute meaningfully to the fight against gender-based violence. 

She also called upon teachers to be resilient despite the challenges they faced.

Aarea MP, Dr Lemogang Kwape also graced the occasion. Ends