Yesterday, Democratic Alliance Leader Helen Zille, delivered the following speech at the Suid Afrikaanse Onderwyser Unie “Principals Symposium” in Port Elizabeth. What most determines a child’s success in the classroom is not their background, their financial circumstances, the curriculum or the resources of the school (although these things all play a role). The crucial variable is the quality of the teaching.

Teachers are on a technological front line – school children are becoming ever more adept at using the web for everything from socialising to doing their homework, and are beginning to resist what they consider “old fashioned” teaching methods. Teachers must find a way to engage them on their own terms, but often lack the web skills and experience to do so effectively. The solution is to get a comprehensive web education. GetSmarter’s UCT Internet Super-User course gives you just that.

Why does Singapore lead the world in student achievement? It’s all got to do with teacher quality. In Singapore, only the top third of secondary school graduates can apply for teacher training. And teaching is paid as well as science and engineering careers.

It’s amazing how learners, parents, even teachers themselves, are still grappling with the answer to a big question that is frequently yet silently asked to the ordinary teacher: “Was teaching your chosen job, or your calling?”. Is it a fictitious dream or ideology for teachers to move up the remuneration ranks without leaving their calling?

If you’re a teacher reading this column heading with shock and disgust then hang in there. I do know how to spell and my grammar is about as good as any 24 year old, technically-savvy, sms generation man. I matriculated at SACS High School in 2004 after spending both my junior and high school careers at the oldest school in South Africa.

Ek wil nie voorgee dat ek ooit myself gesien het as onderwyser nie, en daarom was dit nogal ‘n aanpassing om weer gewoond te raak aan die roetine van skoolgaan. Soos enige jong onderwyser, was ek aanvanklik skepties en selfs ‘n bietjie skrikkerig.

The dinner guests were sitting around the table discussing life. One man, a CEO, decided to explain the problem with education. He
argued, “What’s a kid going to learn from someone who decided his best option in life was to become a teacher?”.

When one exchanges the life of a teacher for that of an office worker there are some sacrifices to be made … such as holidays. I started “scouting” for other employment opportunities while I was still teaching – actually almost a year ago! The first thing I did was revamp my C.V. How you might ask?

After 12 happy (mostly happy) years in teaching, predominantly Special Needs, I have made the transition to the 9 to 5 workplace. No more holidays, but no more marking either! My decision to leave teaching was not an easy one or a quick process. I was very happy in my school, with my colleagues and with the holidays of course!