Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced the recipients of the Prime Minister’s Awards for Teaching Excellence and Excellence in Early Childhood Education. The 2013 Awards were announced to coincide with National Child Day, which marks the date that Canada adopted the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).

“Good educators guide, inspire and motivate us to want to learn on our own. They sow the seeds of knowledge that yield well-educated Canadians who are able to compete with the best in the world and generate new ideas and prosperity,” said the Prime Minister.  “I would like to congratulate all of the recipients of this year’s awards on their remarkable achievements.  It is particularly fitting to be celebrating their merits on National Child Day.”

The 2013 Awards were given to 60 educators from across Canada. Of these, 21 national-level recipients received their awards from the Prime Minister at an event in Ottawa.  A list of all Teaching Excellence award winners for 2013 can be found at http://www.pma-ppm.gc.ca/eic/site/pmate-ppmee.nsf/eng/wz02086.html, while a list of Excellence in Early Childhood Education award winners can be found at http://www.pma-ppm.gc.ca/eic/site/pmaece-ppmepe.nsf/eng/wy00572.html.

The Prime Minister’s Awards for Teaching Excellence recognize outstanding elementary and secondary school teachers who, through the innovative use of information and communications technologies, help Canadian students meet the challenges of a 21st century society and digital economy.  This year marks the 20th anniversary of this award, with more than 1600 educators honoured to date. The Prime Minister’s Awards for Excellence in Early Childhood Education honour exceptional early-childhood educators.

The Prime Minister’s Awards are administered by Industry Canada with the support of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada, Employment and Social Development Canada, Health Canada, the Public Health Agency of Canada and the RBC Foundation.  For additional information, please visit www.pma-ppm.gc.ca.