Windhoek
Minister of Education, Arts and Culture Katrina Hanse-Himarwa says the recent incident whereby a St George’s Diocesan College pupil threatened to shoot teachers and classmates at the school did not go unnoticed and is by no means acceptable.
The intervention follows after a 17-year-old student, who was suspended last month, took to Facebook where he posted threatening messages. Although, no shooting ever took place, as the boy had threatened, his threats sent shockwaves of fear among students and his teachers at the time.
“Although no incident happened at the school in question, the reality is that such violent threats to life cannot be allowed in our education system. The learners are in many cases exposed to programmes they watch at home on television and on the internet,” she noted.
The incident at St George’s, she says, has alerted the authorities to the risk, and they have re-committed to making schools a safe environment for both teachers and learners.
Hanse-Himarwa also pleaded with parents to ensure that children are guided at home and to ensure that cellular phones, I-pads and all computers are used for educational purposes and not irresponsibly, as irresponsible usage may cause irreparable damage to the learner.
The education minister said the ministry needs to tighten existing loopholes, regarding security and safety of learners and teachers in schools. She says the current review of the Education Act has taken such matters up through the provision of guidelines to ensure a safe, disciplined and purposeful school environment, dedicated to the improvement and maintenance of quality learning and teaching.
She said the ministry would emphasise that children should respect the dignity, person and property of teachers, fellow learners and members of the public. “Learners may not bring onto the school or hostel premises, or have in his or her possession, any firearm, bow and arrow, panga, knife or any other dangerous weapon,” Hanse-Himarwa warned.
She promised to have fences erected at schools and to provide security services, while urging teachers to be vigilant at all times and to address issues of bullying and excessive teasing before it escalates and leads to psychological and physical harm.
“We are also cognizant of the fact that many children in our schools are exposed to the internet and other electronic media about what happens everywhere in the world,” said the minister. Although Namibia has a small learner population, the reality is they are vulnerable, inquisitive, and adventurous, and are thus open to external influences.
Hanse-Himarwa said, although ICT is an important factor in the provision of education in the 21st century, there is a need for clear guidelines on the usage of electronic devices meant for the purpose of teaching and learning in schools.
Further, she said it is pleasing to note that many schools have introduced e-learning.
However, the minister is concerned that this well-intended mode of education may be abused: “Thus my call for schools to implement clear rules and guidelines on the usage of e-learning.”