Kazanga Joshua
There is an old saying attributed to Colin Powell that says, “The day the soldiers stop bringing you their problems is the day you stopped leading them. They have either lost confidence that you can help them, or concluded that you do not care. Either case is a failure of leadership.”
The Namibian government should be considerate of that adage. Currently in Namibia, teachers have been pushing through their union for their salary increase to adjust to inflation, and basically to have a decent life. In fact, the push has been ongoing since 2016.
In plain view, teachers have waited long enough for the pay increase, and the result of waiting for way too long is rather hideous. It is not rocket science to note that dissatisfied and exasperated teachers don’t do their work accordingly.
Put simply, teachers are not asking for an ameliorated salary in order to afford a Bugatti or Maserati, but rather for a decent lifestyle to afford basic necessities such as food, water, clothes, fuel and electricity bills.
Nowadays, many teachers are outrageously debt-prone and live below the social standards. Consequently, this causes an exodus in the education sector, an inferior work rate, and makes it harder to attract new teachers.
When graduates see their peers offered better salaries and a better lifestyle in other professions, it can become difficult to convince them to pursue teaching.
Increasing teachers’ salaries makes teaching more appealing, which spontaneously increases the standard, quality and professionalism of teachers.
Teachers are essential to society, and they shape the future minds of our nation. Unfortunately, teachers are generally paid less than individuals with the same qualifications in different fields.
Notably, almost everyone remembers that one teacher who had a transformative impact on their life. The teacher that made school exciting and interesting, and who genuinely cared.
Teacher quality is the number one school-related factor to a pupil’s achievement. This is an extremely important profession.
Teachers literally have the future of the country in front of them every day. For the sake of a better future, pay teachers a salary they deserve.