The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) made a strong showing at two prestigious award events held on Friday, 29 November, where schools, districts, and officials from the region walked away with a host of accolades for their contributions to education excellence, Cape {town} Etc reports.
The first event, the National Education Excellence Awards, took place at the Birchwood Hotel and OR Tambo Conference Centre in Boksburg. These awards highlight the exceptional efforts made by schools and districts to provide quality education.
Among the notable winners, Hoёr Meisieskool Bloemhof from the Cape Winelands was named the top-performing public secondary school in Quintile 5, solidifying its status as a leader in education. This marks an extraordinary achievement for the school, which has maintained its position among the top performers for consecutive years. Rhenish Girls’ High School, also from the Cape Winelands, claimed 3rd place in the same category, demonstrating the ongoing commitment of its staff and students to academic excellence.
In the category for school facilities, Isalathiso Primary School from Eden and Central Karoo earned 3rd place for its exceptional upkeep and maintenance of school infrastructure. This Quintile 2, no-fee school is setting an example for improving the environment of schools in low-income areas.
Two more schools, Homba Primary School (Metro East) and Alexander Sinton High School (Metro Central), were also recognized for their efforts in health promotion, underscoring their commitment to providing well-rounded educational experiences.
The district-level awards also highlighted outstanding achievements. Metro North Education District, led by Director Wendy Horn, earned 2nd place in the ‘Top Performing District – Highest Number of Bachelor’s Passes over a Three-Year Period’ category. The district’s consistent excellence was further acknowledged with a 2nd place award in the ‘Top Performing District – Highest Overall Score Using Quality Performance Indicators’ category. Metro Central and Eden and Central Karoo Education Districts also took home awards, reflecting their commitment to effective leadership and support for primary schools.
WCED officials were also celebrated at the National Batho Pele and Innovation Awards, held at the Radisson Blu Hotel and Conference Centre in Kempton Park. These awards aim to recognize excellence in public service delivery and innovation across South Africa.
Johan Clarke, an official from the Overberg Education District’s Learner Transport Scheme (LTS), won the National Trailblazer Award for his innovative app designed to streamline learner transport. The app reduces waiting times for essential information, helping schools prioritize educational needs. Clarke also secured a silver award in the ‘Innovation Harnessing Technology’ category for his efforts.
The Rapid School Build team, led by Salie Abrahams, earned a bronze award in the ‘Best Implemented Project of the Year’ category. The team’s groundbreaking work in building schools for underserved communities faster was previously recognized at the Premier’s Service Excellence Awards.
‘We are incredibly proud of the achievements of our schools, districts, and officials. These awards are a testament to the dedication and hard work that goes into ensuring that all learners receive a high-quality education, regardless of their circumstances,’ said the WCED in a statement.
The recognition of these exemplary institutions and individuals reflects the WCED’s continued pursuit of excellence in education, which is both an inspiration to students and an asset to the province.
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