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SA's IT Super Teacher announced
03/10/2008 11:36 - (SA)
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| A delighted Naomi Gumede accepts her prize from Theo Kramer, chairperson of UniForum SA, for winning the Super Teacher of the Year 2008 award. (Photo supplied) |
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Birgit Ottermann
Cape Town - An English teacher from a small Free State town has beaten 120 other educators from around South Africa to be named Super Teacher of the Year 2008 by the Internet Service Providers' Association of SA (Ispa) and UniForum SA, the .co.za domain name registry.
A thrilled Naomi Gumede of Esizibeni Secondary School of Memel accepted her award at a special dinner in Fourways, Johannesburg recently.
"I am humbled by this award and feel a great sense of achievement. As educators, it is our responsibility to set an example for the communities in which we live. I feel even more confident now in my role," Gumede told News24 on Friday morning.
Gumede was part of a group of teachers who were invited by UniForum SA's Coza Cares project to receive computer training.
The two runners-up were Esther Mamabolo from Toronto Primary School in Limpopo and Judy Le Roux from Coffee Bay Christian School in the Eastern Cape.
'I didn't know anything'
According to the internet industry players, Gumede had best imparted her newly-acquired IT knowledge to her learners and the local community after participating in Ispa's nationwide teacher training programme.
"Before this course, I didn't know anything about computers," Gumede admitted to News24. "When we arrived for the training, I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw all the laptops. I just realised, if you can't work with computers, you're left behind."
Gumede is now the proud owner of her own laptop, which she received as main prize for winning the award.
"I am so proud of what I've learned and my school is also thrilled," she said. "This award is not just about me - it will also make a huge impact on the school and the whole community because everyone will now get a chance to learn basic computer skills."
Training educators and learners
Gumede will train the other educators at her school and together with them will teach the learners and community computer literacy.
"Our school has received twenty computers of Coza Cares. I would like to start teaching IT as soon as the new school term starts, however, we will have to sort out security for our computer centre first," she told News24.
According to Gumede the school has had a break-in before and she hopes the Department of Education will be able to secure the computer centre as soon as possible.
The single mother of three is not one to rest on her laurels. She is eager to further her computer training. "I want to register for an IT course to expand my knowledge and share it with everyone in my community."
'Hard work really pays off'
Her inspirational message to other educators: "No matter where you are, in a small or big town, you can make a difference. Hard work and perseverance really pays off. It is our duty as educators to uplift and enlighten the nation. Knowledge is power and by teaching our learners the right skills, we help to empower our nation."
Coza Cares is the social development arm of UniForum SA promoting the use of Information Technology (IT) in underprivileged communities.
It has seen over 1 600 computers donated and over 1 500 educators trained at more than 80 disadvantaged and rural schools since December 2001.
"Our industry is facing a severe shortage of skilled professionals which is both surprising and a tremendous pity as IT is an attractive career option," said Theo Kramer, chairperson of UniForum SA.
Boosting skills
"Intervention in the form of Ispa's teacher training programme stimulates and encourages educators to take advantage of the opportunity to further boost their skills and build rewarding careers," added Kramer.
Educators were trained on OpenOffice.org 2 by Seta (Sector Education & Training Authority) accredited facilitators provided by Avuxeni Computer Academy while NetDay Association was responsible for the installation of computers and educational content at the schools targeted for training.
Educators received certificates as acknowledgement of their achievement at the awards function. The credits obtained from the training will count towards a National Certificate in IT.
The following sponsors have also contributed to the teacher training programme over the years: X-DSL Broadband, Absa Bank, eNetworks, Snowball Effect, Imaginet, MTN Network Solutions, Cybersmart, Internet Solutions, Posix, SAI Futurenet and Intoweb Training.
- News24
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