Latest news with #teaching
The Herald
a day ago
- General
- The Herald
‘The children deserve better than this — we're drowning'
'Teaching is very difficult,' Boitumelo Mokoena*, a teacher at the school, said. 'Most classes have 60 to 70 learners. You're lucky if 10 are really paying attention. We're expected to teach all subjects to all of them and just hope they're listening.' She described how overcrowding impeded her basic movement, saying she was often unable to reach the pupils at the back of the class. 'I can't walk around the classroom; and I can't even move at all because you would find students sitting at my feet. 'I have to shout for attention and even then, you only reach a few students. It's really hard for students to grasp the subject when they can't hear me,' she said. Another teacher, Kamogelo Mahlangu*, said the school had a capacity for 1,081 pupils but was accommodating more than 2,000. 'The most we've had in one class is at least 120 pupils and when it's time for tests, you find that only 10% of the students actually know what they are writing. 'The comprehensive reading is bad; it's not a great teaching environment,' Mahlangu said. Multilingual instruction adds to the challenge. 'We try to teach in at least three languages to support the learners, but with these numbers, it becomes nearly impossible.' Just next door, Cosmos City Junior faces the same crisis. Teacher Ayanda Dlamini said repeated pleas for assistance from the basic education department had been ignored. ' We've been asking the department for more teachers and classrooms for years. Every year, the number of learners increases, but the space and resources stay the same. 'It's heartbreaking because we want to teach, but we are set up to fail. The kids deserve better than this — we're drowning,' he said. At Blue Eagle Primary, a school governing body member said overcrowding was pushing teachers to their limits. 'The recommended teacher-to-learner ratio is one to 40, but many of our classes are 1 to 60. 'The teachers are overwhelmed. You find that some barely go to class and when they do it's too much. They then go on leave because there's too much work,' she said. DA education spokesperson Sergio dos Santos confirmed that the problem was widespread. 'Overcrowding has a serious negative impact on teaching and learning. We've seen classrooms with 92 learners in one room. 'In those conditions, teachers can't get to the learners at the back. There is almost no one-on-one engagement.' He also raised concern about the multilingual instruction challenges faced by schools in the province. 'We support mother-tongue instruction in the foundation phase — especially for literacy — but large, multilingual classrooms need more structured support. Right now, schools are struggling to manage.' When asked to comment, Gauteng education spokesperson Steve Mabona said: ' ... The department did indicate during the learner placement period that because of pressure experienced in certain areas, some schools will be overcrowded. 'As such, we are establishing a satellite school in the said areas, which will assist to alleviate pressure from the overcrowded schools.' * The names in the article have been changed to protect the identity of the teachers and those associated with the schools. This special report into the state of literacy, a collaborative effort by The Herald, Sowetan and Daily Dispatch, was made possible by the Henry Nxumalo Foundation
BBC News
3 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Rotherham languages teacher honoured with national award
A teacher from Rotherham has won a national award for his "transformative work" at the secondary school where he is Bartle, a modern foreign languages teacher and senior leader at Clifton Community School, was presented a Silver Pearson National Teaching Bartle, who became a teacher in 2018 after having been a translator, was chosen from thousands of nominees and was named as one of the award winners on National Thank A Teacher Day. Clifton head teacher Anna Leng praised Mr Bartle, saying: "He works so hard, day in day out, for our students and school community." Mr Bartle was one of 93 teachers, lecturers, leaders, support staff and institutions to win a silver Pearson award for "lasting impact on shaping the lives of young people", according to the Wickersley Partnership Trust, which runs the school.A trust spokesperson said being able to speak a second language was "undervalued", and Mr Bartle was "passionate" about making sure every child, no matter their background or community, left the school able and qualified. Ms Leng said she was "extremely pleased" at the award for the work being done by Mr Bartle."It's fantastic to see this being rewarded on a national level," she said."On behalf of everyone at Clifton, we'd like to say a massive well done."Mr Bartle had "a huge future ahead of him and we are just so proud to have been a small part of his journey so far", Ms Leng Michael Morpurgo, former children's laureate and president of the Teaching Awards Trust, said the dedication and impact of teachers like Mr Bartle was "truly remarkable".Their influence "extends well beyond the classroom", he the award winners showed "extraordinary" passion and commitment to shaping the next generation, Sir Michael explained."National Thank a Teacher Day is an important opportunity to pause and celebrate all they do."Mr Bartle will now be shortlisted for a gold teaching award, with the winners due to be announced in November. Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Education leader wins national teaching award for transformative work
THE Principal of Lakes College, Chris Nattress, has been awarded a National Lifetime Achievement award for his dedication to education over a career which spans three decades. Mr Nattress, the longest serving principal in Cumbria, has been recognised with a Silver Award in this year's Pearson National Teaching Awards – chosen from thousands of nominees. His leadership has enabled the college to thrive and meet the needs of thousands of learners and employers locally, regionally, and nationally. Mr Nattress's experience in the classroom has remained at the heart of his work, with unwavering support for skills development in young people in particular, and total dedication to expanding opportunities for his communities. He was awarded the prestigious Lifetime Achievement award today (Weds June 18th) – on National Thank a Teacher Day. Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson, said: "On Thank a Teacher Day, I want to celebrate the remarkable professionals who are the backbone of our education system. Brilliant teachers make the single biggest difference to a child's education. "I've experienced first-hand how a great teacher can make all the difference. Teachers don't just deliver lessons – they transform lives, inspire curiosity, and build the confidence our children need to succeed. For this incredible commitment to our nation's future, we owe our teachers our deepest gratitude." Sir Michael Morpurgo, author, former Children's Laureate, and President of the Teaching Awards Trust, said: 'The dedication and impact of those involved in educating young people is truly remarkable. Their influence extends well beyond the classroom - offering encouragement, inspiration, and unwavering support that can shape lives for years to come. That's why National Thank a Teacher Day is an important opportunity to pause and celebrate all that they do. "I'm also delighted to be able to congratulate this year's Silver Award winners. Your passion and commitment to shaping the next generation is extraordinary. Thank you for the difference you make every single day." Sharon Hague, CEO of Pearson UK, said: 'Every day, educators across the UK go above and beyond to inspire, support, and shape the future generation. Today, we proudly recognise those making an extraordinary impact. Our Silver Award winners represent the very best of the profession, and we're thrilled to celebrate their dedication and achievements. Congratulations to all of this year's Silver winners!' Mr Nattress is now in with the chance of winning the highly desired Gold Award, which will be announced at a prestigious awards ceremony in London and on BBC One's The One Show later this year. Celebrating the whole education community, the Pearson National Teaching Awards are run by the Teaching Awards Trust, an independent charity established over 25 years ago. The charity celebrates the transformative impact of education, shining a spotlight on the pivotal roles teachers, support staff, colleges, schools and early years educators play in inspiring young people, every single day.
The Independent
09-06-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Scale of teacher crisis laid bare as school waits years for replacement
Scottish Liberal Democrats data reveals over 1,350 teaching posts in Scotland were readvertised in the last two years, including a primary school teacher position on Papa Westray, Orkney, vacant since March 2019. Moray Council readvertised 252 teaching roles, Aberdeen 206, Shetland 90, Argyll and Bute 70, Highland Council 62, and Dumfries and Galloway 61. Western Isles Council advertised a PE teacher role nine times, while a home economics teacher post in Aberdeen was advertised six times. Lib Dem education spokesman Willie Rennie calls for action to make teaching more attractive, suggesting three-year packages for probationer teachers and teacher premiums for those in schools with the greatest need. Cosla acknowledges recruitment challenges in remote areas and specific subjects, while the Scottish Government highlights increased teacher numbers and ongoing efforts to support the profession, including £186.5 million in funding for councils to increase teacher numbers.
The Guardian
03-06-2025
- General
- The Guardian
Treasured wedding gifts: dusters, pegs and a tea strainer
Cliodhna Dempsey's letter (Bridal bucket is the best wedding gift, 26 May) brought back the happiest of memories. In July 1968 I was 21 years old, on the last day of my first year of teaching in Hampshire, and due to be married eight days later. My lovely class of first-year juniors, at final assembly, presented me with a huge laundry basket. Then each of the 42 children came up to put something in it: dusters, dishcloths, pegs, tin opener, washing-up brush, dustpan, tea strainer, teaspoons, slotted spoon, wooden spoons – an abundance of very thoughtful and useful gifts. The long pink ribbon to tie everything inside the basket proved invaluable: that evening, driving 110 miles to visit Tim, my fiance, the bonnet of my Austin A35 van flew up and I used the ribbon to tie the bonnet catch to the radiator grille to safely finish the journey. Nearly 57 years later, and after racking up 74 years of teaching between us, we remain happily married and still use some of the surviving SeakinsRugby, Warwickshire My sister's 1981 wedding present list included a toilet roll holder, a 'lavatory cleaning set – green', 13-amp plugs and pan scrubs. She is still happily married, with the cleaning set and holder still in KeeleyWarrington, Cheshire Have an opinion on anything you've read in the Guardian today? Please email us your letter and it will be considered for publication in our letters section.
