Dr Yusuf Dadoo Primary School takes best teacher award among other categories
Dr Yusef Dadoo Primary School teachers wipe the floor clean with awards from Annual Teacher Awards.
While learners always get awarded for their academic excellence, teachers who encourage and push learners to strive for better usually just get a close ‘thank you’.
But not this time, as it was the teachers’ turn to be awarded at the 22nd National Teaching Awards, which took place in October, and according to deputy principal of Dr Yusuf Dadoo Primary School, Adil Shaik Mungalee, it is considered to be the equivalent of the ‘Miss South Africa’ pageant … but for teachers.
A few teachers of the school was awarded in three different categories for their excellence at the recent awards.
“It is the biggest award ceremony that acknowledges what teachers do in the country.”
Four of the school’s teachers, including the principal as well as the deputy principal, were awarded for their teaching and leadership excellence. Adil was awarded with the National Best Teacher Award. Adil, who is described as the ‘community champion’ by principal Judy Dasruth was nominated by the principal and nomination committee from the school which includes the school’s management and School Governing Body (SGB). The category in which Adil was awarded had to do with his involvement with the community.
“Learners are able to relate to him better,” said principal Dasruth when speaking about Adil.
Teachers Yusuf Wadee and Ridwaan Saith have taken teaching mathematics to a different level, by assisting learners via social media. The teachers have created fun and interactive ways for learners to study, practice and have fun with mathematics. So much so that they have won an award for Excellence in Teaching Mathematics (GET). They won the category together since they entered as a duo.
Principal Judy Dasruth also brought home a prize, the provincial award for Excellence in Primary School Leadership. This award, which is mostly awarded to people who have been principals for more than five years, is astonishing as principal Dasruth, has only been a principal for the past year.
“Her advantage,” as Adil explains, “is that she is focusing on digital leadership”.
The school continues to strive for excellence by creating a foundation where learners are well rounded – excelling in academics, sport and culture.
