In recognition of October having been both national Teachers Month and International School Library Month, the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) is holding a school library competition that celebrates the work teachers have done this year – and every year.
The WCED borrowed the name of a popular documentary as their theme – My Octopus Teacher – in recognition of the multiple roles teachers juggle on a daily basis.
Teachers do far more than just teach academic content. They are also the ones that our learners turn to for emotional support, advice and career guidance. They keep an eye on our learners’ health and wellbeing. They coach school sport and host after-school programmes. They help schools to raise funds for their schools and some are part of the school management team. This year, teachers have had to take on another role – that of ensuring that our schools and learners follow the safety measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
The WCED wants to know from learners about the many wonderful ways in which their teachers supported them this year.
Each school is invited to collect submissions from their learners – letters, presentations, or other formats which can be sent to us electronically – and send these to the WCED as a single pack per school. Learners need to answer these questions:. Describe what your teachers meant to you during the Covid-19 pandemic and how they supported you and your classmates.. What are the multiple roles that they play in supporting you?. Motivate to us as to how the books/e-resources would help to make the teachers’ task a little easier.
Six schools will win R20 000 each for library and e-resources, three secondary schools will each receive R20 000 for winning entries in English, Afrikaans and Xhosa and three primary schools will each receive R20 000 for winning entries in English, Afrikaans and Xhosa.
The closing date for the competition is 15 December.
