Heroes who don't make headlines

HEALTHY and strong societies are built, among other things, on a strong and robust education system. In South Africa, we have around 412 000 teachers in public schools.

- ASHLEY GREEN-THOMPSON

There are 47 400 in private schools. These are the people we task with the responsibility to lay the foundations for our society by teaching our children the skills needed to be solid members of the community.

I am sure my family and in-laws make up a large percentage of the teaching profession.

There are many of them who have been teaching for decades, and they have played a role in educating the children of the community as foundation phase teachers (the ones who have to lay the basis with the little ones for a lifetime of learning), as heads of department (ensuring that there is proper teaching of the subject being done), and as principals (basically chief executive officer of the school).

My aunt taught me in class (or grade) one and two she probably should take most responsibility for the quality of this column.

I have vivid recollections of her patience in teaching us how to read and write and add numbers, and when her patience wore out you'd earn a smack on the hand or a banishment from the classroom for 10 minutes time to reflect on my rotten ways I suppose.