XOLI Sibisi has received a global award for her efforts to assist pupils struggling with physical science and maths.
The teacher, known as Soweto’s physical science guru, was named the winner at the Global Teachers Awards ceremony in India on Sunday, 6 November.
Speaking to Daily Sun, Xoli, originally from Newcastle in KZN, said she was very excited.
“I am very happy and shocked at the same time. I didn’t think I’d be recognised globally. I am very grateful to God because He has carried me throughout the entire journey,” she said.
Xoli said she developed an after-school programme called X-Matics, which she used to help pupils struggling with physical science.
She said she believed everyone could excel in physics and maths if they put in the effort. She said every pupil had a different way in which they understood information, so she had different methods for different pupils.
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“I believe every pupil has potential and I always say there are two types, the gifted ones and the hard worker. If you are not gifted, you need to work hard,” she said.
Through her programme, she has helped pupils across Soweto with one-on-one sessions.
“Most pupils may not be academically bright or gifted. Those pupils require time and patience, something teachers might not be able to provide. It is those pupils I am interested in assisting the most. This is what makes me unique,” she said.
Xolile said she hoped to one day open a school specialising in maths and physics.
