JOHN Aquilina has spent a working lifetime trying to improve education in NSW.

The Riverstone MP and former education minister's efforts were recognised last week, when he was announced as the winner of this year's Wyndham Medal.

Australian College of Educators state president John DeCourcy said the medal, named after Sir Harold Wyndham, was the college's highest state award.

``Sir Harold was a great NSW and Australian educator,' Dr DeCourcy said.

``He was the founding president of the NSW branch of the Australian College of Educators.

``This award, named in his honour, is given each year to recognise an outstanding contribution by an individual to the education of young people in NSW and to encourage involvement in the college and its activities.

``John Aquilina has had a long career as a secondary school educator, a member of parliament, a Fellow of the Australian College of Educators, shadow minister for education, minister for education and training, and Speaker of the House.

``His support for educators and his involvement in the college have been strong throughout this time.

``Among many achievements, John Aquilina is particularly noted as the driving force behind the establishment of the Quality Teaching Awards, the most rigorous awards for teaching within Australia.

`` His political leadership of the introduction of the standards-referenced Higher School Certificate in 2001 gave NSW a truly world-class exit credential for schools.

``Other educational reforms achieved during Mr Aquilina's six years and seven months as NSW minister for education and training included the Computers in Schools program and the connection of all public schools to the internet by the end of 1996.''

Mr Aquilina said he felt humbled by the unexpected honour.

``I'm quite staggered by it,'' he said.

``I worked with so many thousands of other people who helped bring about the reforms I'm credited with.

``This is a great tribute to the teachers.

``I've always been teacher-focused and I see this as a recognition that teachers work very hard in the classroom.''

The Wyndham Medal will be presented to Mr Aquilina at a ceremony on Friday, July 30.