ONDOBE – Education minister Anna Nghipondoka has called on school principals to restore order in schools, and avoid unnecessary conflict amongst teachers and learners.
The minister said schools should not be toxic environments.
She made these remarks last week while expressing her disappointment over schools that have become battlefields and fiefdoms, where conflict thrives, to the detriment of educating the Namibian child.
The education ministry has been inundated with controversies around schools countrywide in recent weeks.
Hashiyana Primary School is currently in the spotlight after its principal was accused of an array of issues.
The accusation against the principal came to light after Petrus Ndeulita, a teacher at the school, was suspended after he was found guilty of corporal punishment.
He allegedly punished a learner by making him hold a chair in the air for an hour.
The learners, along with their teachers, held a peaceful but emotional demonstration on school grounds on Friday.
Following the demonstration at school, the teachers proceeded to Oshana Regional Council, where they handed over a petition.
Nghipondoka was speaking during the engagement with the teachers, principals, senior education officers, regional councillors and inspectors at Mwandikange Kaulinge Secondary School at Ondobe in the Ohangwena region.
The aim of the meeting was to discuss the national examination results improvement strategies, and other related education matters.
Nghipondoka has been visiting various regions to discuss issues affecting schools to find lasting solutions.
She stressed that schools should have order and a code of conduct to ensure that learners are behaving.
“Learners should listen to their teachers. Learners should respect their teachers the same way they respect their parents at home,” the minister, who has in recent times courted controversy over certain remarks, said.
The minister urged parents and teachers to join hands, and assist learners who are misbehaving.
“Schools should not be a toxic environment. Learners’ behaviour should be discussed by both teachers, parents and the principal,” she added.
Meanwhile, despite the challenges faced by schools, Nghipondoka said this is not an excuse for failure but rather a motivation to overcome challenges.
She urged teachers and principals to remain committed, and unite to ensure a high passing rate despite the challenges they faced.
She said they should not be discouraged by challenges because they will always persist.
“Challenges have been there many years ago – even when I was a teacher, but learners were passing,” she added.
The minister stressed that the government is striving to support schools with the necessary infrastructure and materials.
“Education is very important. Our ministry will continue working hard to ensure that every child has access to education,” she noted.
The minister stated that quality symbols impact performance, and the target is to achieve A to C symbols, as quality grades will improve results to the required standards.
Nghipondoka called on teachers to work harder, and identify what learners are lacking – but most importantly, they should minimise transferring learners between grades because, at the end of the day, such children will find it hard to pass the grades they were transferred to.
She urged teachers to ensure that learners are being taught life skills.
“Learners should be given information about career guidance. This must be a responsibility for every teacher to provide career guidance to learners,” she added.
In the Ohangwena region, 50.7% of learners were transferred to Grade 10 last year, and this is said to be a serious concern.
-fhamalwa@nepc.com.na
Caption:Concerned… Education minister Anna Nghipondoka.
Photo: Festus Hamalwa