On September 5, 2007, between 18h00 and 19h00, I was listening to one of the evening programmes, Feedback.
A spokesperson of the Ministry of Education, Toivo Mvula, was responding to the question posed by a concerned citizen: Why Grade 10 learners are not allowed to repeat if they happen to fail?
Mr Mvula responded that it is the NC which states that: “Primary education is only compulsory up to the age of 16.”
He went even further to imply that their hands are tied unless an amendment is made to the law. The NC, Article 20 (2)(3) is very clear and simple.
It states that “Primary Education shall be compulsory and the State shall provide reasonable facilities to render effective this right for every resident within Namibia, by establishing and maintaining State schools at which primary education will be provided free of charge. Children shall not be allowed to leave school until they have completed their primary education or have attained the age of sixteen (16) years, whichever is the sooner, save in so far as this may be authorized by Act of Parliament on grounds of health or other considerations pertaining to the public interest”
Education is a right and not a privilege. It is sub-Article 2 that envisages a mandatory education at primary level which the State has to provide free of charge to every resident in Namibia and there is no age limit attached to that.
It is sub-Article 3 which reprimands all education stakeholders, including the Ministry of Education, not to allow any primary school child to leave school without completing it. The age of sixteen (16) is a conditional option which can be applied on the grounds of health or on public interest to be authorized by Act of Parliament.
Is there any existing Act of Parliament on primary education, may I ask?
Mr Mvula seems to be a speaker of the ministry for the sake of it. If he does not understand the laws, policies, regulations, principles and rules guiding that ministry, how will he express its views?
It is very risky to start applying the NC in a selective and wrong way because that will make us commit the serious blunders which will lead to abuse and violation of it.
Now, Mr Mvula is silent on “… primary education will be provided free of charge,” why? These double-talks about the education in this country do necessitate the National Conference of Education, urgently!
Steven Mvula, Namibia