|
The key objectives of the awards are to recognise and acknowledge schools that are performing well and have achieved good results, that are showing consistent improvement and are creating a physically and psychologically safe learning environment.
Furthermore, it will highlight successes and identify possible role models in a manner that will benefit all learners.
Awards were presented in three categories: Mathematics and Science, Consistently Improving School, Most Improved School, Racially Integrated School and Technology Enhanced Learning and Teaching.
All schools, primary and secondary, in the country were eligible for the Technology Enhanced Learning and Teaching Award. Schools in this category had to demonstrate creative and innovative ways of how they had acquired computer technology.
The adjudicators also looked at the frequency of learners' access to computers, the application of computers in learning and teaching, as well as the use of computers in planning teaching and learning activities. In the last instance they evaluated the access to the computers by local communities.
Every provincial education department nominated a school based on the guiding principles and specific criteria for the award, whereafter an independent panel of judges made the final selection.
Sundra High School in Mpumalanga won first prize in this category, followed by PBS, Grey College in the Free State and Linden Secondary in Gauteng.
PBS principal Henk Arangies and David Hellig, chairperson of the school governing body, received the award at a resplendent gala dinner at the presidential guest house in Pretoria.
"We are very proud of this achievement. Our success lies with the planning and infrastructure supplied by educators in the school, the boys' enthusiasm and eagerness to learn, as well as the involvement of the parent community in fundraising," said Arangies.
He also gave credit to Andrea Strydom, the computer science teacher at the school, for all her effort.
* PBS was one of four Western Cape schools to receive awards. The other schools were Settlers High (two mathematics and science awards); Mondale Secondary (Consistent Improvement Award) and Zwartberg High (Racial Integration Award). |
IT was all smiles at Paarl Boys' Primary this week, after the school received a second prize at the coveted Most Improved Schools Awards ceremony in Pretoria last week.