Lahja Nashuuta

Reinhold Mutighoma, the principal of Ekondjo Primary School in the Ncamagoro Circuit in Kavango West region, has urged other public servants to apply public policy in their decision making to improve service delivery to schools.

He says public policy helps leaders understand how to serve communities fairly and effectively.

The principal notes that school leaders should not only focus on managing schools, but should also understand the policies that affect learners, teachers and communities.

“Policies shape the education sector. Principals need to understand them so they can better support learners and teachers,” he said.

Mutighoma emphasises that public policy is a practical tool that can help leaders make better decisions, strengthen institutions and improve the lives of ordinary people.

According to him, public officials who understand policy are better able to work in the interests of the students and community in ensuring that government programmes are implemented properly.

Being a public servant

Mutighoma holds a degree in Curriculum Studies from Great Zimbabwe University.

He has worked in the education sector for more than 15 years. During this time, he has served as a teacher and head of department. He officially became principal on 1 December 2024.

In an interview with New Era, Mutighoma revealed that his experience in education motivated him to study Public Policy and Management at the International University of Management.

“With over 15 years in the teaching profession, I realised that public office bearers need to invest in understanding, developing and evaluating public policies so they can make informed decisions,” he explained.

Public policies as a necessity

Asked whether public policy is necessary for public office bearers, Mutighoma said it is essential.

“Public policy is necessary for public office bearers. Leaders need to understand policies so they can make informed decisions, manage public resources responsibly and improve service delivery,” he said.

He says his studies in public policy have opened his eyes to the importance of research, planning and evidence-based decision-making in government institutions.

“Public policy is important because it helps leaders identify problems in society and develop solutions that can improve people’s lives,” he said.

He says school principals work under government policies every day, especially in the education sector. Because of this, it is important for school leaders to understand how policies are created and implemented.

“As a principal, I work within policies that guide the education system. Studying public policy helps me understand how these policies are made, implemented and evaluated. It also helps me contribute to policy discussions and ensure that my school follows national education goals while also addressing local challenges,” he said.

He said sometimes policies are created at the national level without fully understanding the realities on the ground.

“Studying public policy helps me analyse these problems and find ways to improve implementation in my school environment,” he explained.

Challenges

Although he enjoys working in education, Mutighoma says the job also comes with emotional challenges, especially when dealing with poverty among learners.

“It is painful to see learners coming to school wearing torn clothes or without shoes. Many of them come from homes where the orphan and vulnerable children grant is the only source of income,” he said.

He added that many parents struggle to provide basic school needs for their children and as such, they are forced to choose between buying food or buying school supplies.

“No child should have to suffer because of poverty,” he said.

Mutighoma says schools in rural areas continue to face many challenges. 

These include overcrowded classrooms, limited teaching resources, gaps in policy implementation and lack of community involvement.

Perceptions

Mutighoma also spoke about the negative perception some members of the public have about civil servants. Many people believe public servants are lazy or ineffective, but he says leadership and passion are important factors.

“These misconceptions exist, but leadership plays a big role. If a teacher is not motivated or passionate, even the best resources may not bring results. Teaching requires commitment and heart,” he said.

He believes teachers should see their work as more than just a job.

“Education is about shaping the future of children and communities. Teachers must be dedicated to making a difference in the lives of learners,” he added.

Looking ahead, Mutighoma hopes to become a respected public policy analyst who can contribute to improving Namibia’s education sector.

“My goal is to participate in policy development, conduct research on educational challenges and recommend solutions that can improve education in Namibia,” he said.

He also hopes to inspire other educators to study public policy and become actively involved in shaping education systems.

-lnashuuta@nepc.com.na