Windhoek
The Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture has denied claims it has banned motivational talks to learners in public schools, saying it only directed that any individual wishing to conduct such talks should get permission from the relevant ministerial authorities.
In a circular sent by the Education, Arts and Culture Permanent Secretary Sanet Steenkamp last week to various school principals, board members and other education stakeholders, she requested the coordination of individuals and groups of people who plan to address schools on various issues in future.
“It is with great concern that the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture has observed the trends of uncontrolled and uncoordinated access of individuals and groups to school premises in Namibia under the pretext of motivational talks to learners and teachers,” the circular reads.
Steenkamp said that to combat and control such activities, which might have negative effects on the holistic development of the child, the ministry was left with no option but to introduce measures to control and coordinate the access of outside people to schools,
as well as the content of speeches made under the pretext of motivational talks at schools. Upon seeing the circular whose stipulations must be effected immediately in all public schools, concerned people took to Facebook to express their disappointment that the ministry ‘banned’ motivational talks to learners.
However, Johanna Absalom, the chief public relations officer in the ministry yesterday said: “We did not ban motivational speakers in schools. We are only saying people need permission before they do so. It is normal procedure, it’s nothing new.”
Further, Steenkamp states it should be noted that schools are sensitive and secure areas, where the ministry has a critical role of responsibility for learners under the principle of “locus in parentis”.
She says the ministry of education takes the safety and security of all children as paramount and thus they should be safeguarded at all times by all those entrusted with authority at schools. Steenkamp says though education is a collective responsibility, it does not mean individuals or a group must frequent school grounds for various reasons, without obtaining permission from the ministry.
Hence, she urged motivational speakers or any external stakeholder to approach school authorities if they want to have talks with learners in public schools. She stressed that the submission of formal written requests must be made at least four weeks before the date of the intended activity, to the relevant director of education, arts and culture.
She also directed that no outside persons shall be allowed to access any government school to address learners or staff unless proper permission has been granted by the chief regional officer of the respective region, and shall be deemed to be in contravention of the circular if doing so without proper authorisation.
She threatened that action would be taken against any person allowing such individuals or organizations to conduct motivational talks without proper approval.
“This directive must be implemented with immediate effect and directors of education must ensure that the information is shared with the larger communities at all levels. Equally, all available platforms within the regions should play a critical role in the sharing of this directive,” she directed.
Clamping down … Education, Arts and Culture Permanent Secretary Sanet Steenkamp.