NN 24/2026
2026/10/06
“Om die status van die onderwysprofessie in ’n vinnig veranderende wêreld te beskerm en te bevorder”
Beste SAOU-lede
Vandag staan ons stil - om elke onderwyser, opvoeder en personeellid in die onderwyssektor te erken en te waardeer.
- Ons vier u deursettingsvermoë.
- Ons eer u positiewe ingesteldheid, en
- Ons erken u veerkragtigheid in ’n beroep wat daagliks hoop, rigting en betekenis aan ons land se toekoms gee.
Sestig jaar gelede het die Internasionale Arbeids-organisasies en UNESCO reeds die belangrikheid van die status van onderwysers beklemtoon. Vanjaar se UNESCO-tema, “Om die status van die onderwysprofessie in ’n vinnig veranderende wêreld te beskerm en te bevorder,” is daarom besonder relevant.
In Suid-Afrika weet ons dat die onderwysprofessie onder toenemende druk verkeer. Onderwysers werk binne ’n uitdagende omgewing van:
- krimpende departementele begrotings,
- oorvol klaskamers,
- toenemende administratiewe eise,
- dissiplinêre uitdagings, en
- groeiende druk op professionele welstand.
Daarom kan waardering vir onderwysers nie net by woorde bly nie. Waardering moet sigbaar word in beskerming, ondersteuning, respek en die erkenning van onderwysers as professionele persone. ’n Samelewing wat sy onderwysers beskerm, beskerm uiteindelik sy kinders, sy skole en sy eie toekoms.
Die SAOU bly hom, in lyn met hierdie internasionale tema, beywer vir veilige werksomgewings, die beskerming van professionele regte, groter erkenning van onderwysers se status, en die versterking van outonomie in die klaskamer.
Kollegas, ten spyte van die enorme eise bly onderwys ’n roeping van besondere waarde. Elke dag bou u aan mense se karakters, u vorm denke en skep hoop waar dit soms afwesig is.
Met die viering van Wêreld Onderwysersdag sê ons dankie. Dankie vir u diens, u moed, u professionaliteit en u volgehoue geloof in die krag van onderwys.
Weet u bydrae word raakgesien, u insette word waardeer en u bydrae gee bepaalde betekenis aan onderwysgemeenskappe.
Mag u stem as onderwyser en onderwysleier bly weerklink - gesaghebbend, geloofwaardig en onwrikbaar.
Net die beste u toegewens.
“Protecting and promoting the status of the teaching profession in a rapidly changing world ”
Dear SAOU-members
Today, we pause to recognise and appreciate every teacher, educator and staff member working in the education sector.
- We celebrate your perseverance.
- We honour your positive attitude, and
- We recognise your resilience in a profession that gives hope, direction and meaning to the future of our country every day.
Sixty years ago, the International Labour Organizations and UNESCO already emphasised the importance of recognising the status of teachers. This year’s UNESCO theme, “Protecting and promoting the status of the teaching profession in a rapidly changing world,” is therefore particularly relevant.
In South Africa, we know that the teaching profession is under increasing pressure. Teachers work in a challenging environment, marked by:
- shrinking departmental budgets,
- overcrowded classrooms,
- growing administrative demands,
- disciplinary challenges, and
- increasing pressure on professional wellbeing.
That is why appreciation for teachers cannot remain just words. Appreciation must become visible through protection, support, respect and the recognition of teachers as professionals. A society that protects its teachers, ultimately protects its children, its schools and its own future.
In line with this international theme, the SAOU remains committed to promoting safe working environments, protecting professional rights, strengthening recognition of teachers’ status, and supporting greater professional autonomy in the classroom.
Colleagues, despite the enormous demands, education remains a calling of exceptual value. Every day you build people's character, you shape minds and create hope where it is sometimes absent.
With the celebration of World Teachers' Day, we say thank you. Thank you for your service, your courage, your professionalism and your continued belief in the power of education.
Know your contribution is noticed, your input is valued and your contribution gives particular meaning to educational communities.
May your voice as a teacher and education leader continue to resonate - authoritative, credible and unwavering.
We wish you all the best!
VIER JOU GUNSTELING ONDERWYSER
Hierdie Onderwysersmaand vier die SAOU ook die onderwysers wat elke dag ’n verskil maak.
Ons nooi leerders uit om hul gunstelingonderwyser op ’n kreatiewe manier te vereer deur ’n gedig, kortverhaal of kunswerk/collage in te stuur. Vertel ons van die onderwyser wat jou inspireer, aanmoedig of op ’n besondere manier geraak het.
Inskrywings open op 5 Oktober 2026.
Een leerder-wenner en die onderwyser wat deur die weninskrywing vereer word, sal uit elke provinsie aangewys word.
Deel die kompetisie met jou leerders en moedig hulle aan om deel te neem.
CELEBRATE YOUR FAVOURITE TEACHER
This Teachers’ Month, SAOU is celebrating the teachers who make a difference every day.
We invite learners to celebrate their favourite teacher in a creative way by submitting a poem, short story or artwork/collage. Tell us about the teacher who inspires you, encourages you or has made a special difference in your life.
Entries open on 5 October 2026.
One learner winner and the teacher celebrated through the winning entry will be selected from each province.
Share the competition with your learners and encourage them to enter:
