RE: Mathematics, Science and Technology Are Cultural Expressions.
Allow me space in your highly esteemed newspaper to share my views on this aspect with your respected readers.
The Founding Father of the Namibian Nation, Dr Sam Nujoma, has urged the Namibian nation on numerous occasions to pursue studies in mathematics, science, information technology and other related fields if we are to achieve ‘our ideals’ as a nation.
Vision 2030, which aims to make Namibia an industrialised nation, will need these fields. The education sector was put in gear through ETSIP to revolutionize the education system in order to provide the much needed support for the realisation of Vision 2030.
Presently the societal perception is: with this field of study you are assured of a steady employment with a ‘market related’ salary and other fringe benefits.
This is contrary to why we should pursue studies in science.
I do not think that Sir Albert Einstein discovered the theory of relativity because he wanted to get a market related salary. He simply expressed himself culturally for he grew up in a culture with an insatiable craving for more knowledge.
The world culture in the developed world is linked to significant strides in all spheres of life from art to scientific discoveries. In developing countries the world culture is equal to stagnation – doing something in exactly the same way since time in memorial!
When one goes to a ‘ cultural festival’ you will find people dancing like their forefathers. You will never see an exhibition as to how these forefathers managed to separate the cream from the milk.
For us in the developing countries culture is separated from knowledge. I believe culture is the embodiment of the ‘total knowledge’ a nation has acquired.
Culture and civilization mean the same thing. Due to a shift in meaning civilization is now a concept given to a culture that has advanced in terms of knowledge.
No wonder those cultures that stagnated in terms of knowledge are referred to as being uncivilized or primitive.
It is the intention of our government to create a knowledge-based society through Vision 2030. That is commendable, but what will be the obstacles? Is our approach correct?
Although many people in Namibia believe that capitalism is the correct system, I strongly believe that capitalism destroys.
In Namibia the knowledge that one has acquired through education, for example, is measured against the wealth that he/she has accumulated and not against what he/she has discovered as a result of education that will improve society.
It is against this background that we study for market related salaries and perks. As a status conscious people: if we cannot accumulate “enough’ wealth we resort to corrupt practices.
For as long as this scenario is prevailing we will not use the education that we have acquired to improve society. Capitalism is a selfish system, period. We must start to think like this: ‘I am going to become a geologist so that I can go into the annals of Namibian history as the person who discovered ………………. which substituted oil as a source of energy.’
AND STOP to think like this: ‘I am going to become an electrical engineer because there are plenty of opportunities and an exorbitant salary. I can even get employment in the USA where I will earn a lot of money and even become an American!’
ETSIP should not only overhaul the education system in terms of curriculum but should emphasise its education and inculcate values that will benefit the nation at large.
N K Mbaeva
(Teacher)