WINDHOEK – As the date for the commencement of the general voter registration drive draws closer with less than a day to go, the Namibian National Students Organisation (NANSO) has called on all students and learners in Namibia who are 18 years and above to register with the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) to be eligible to partake in the election process slated for the end of this year.
The general voter registration drive starts tomorrow and is expected to end on February 2. All Namibian citizens above the age of 18 are eligible to register as voters ahead of the 2014 National and Presidential elections.
Nanso president Timotheus Angala yesterday said students too are expected to exercise their democratic right to vote for their preferred national leaders come the elections. To register as a voter, one needs proof of identity, age or proof of Namibian citizenship by providing a new or old Namibian identity card or document or a valid Namibian passport.
One can also provide a citizenship certificate if one was born outside the country. Prospective voters can also provide a combination of a Namibian birth certificate and a new Namibian driver’s licence or a Namibian birth certificate and two registered deponents, as well as proof of residency. The names of those who are duly registered will appear on the voters register.
Nanso also welcomed back its members and other stakeholders in the education sector from the holidays. “We wish them all a productive 2014. We want 2014 to be a year of revitalisation and doubled stamina to continue the deliverance of quality education to the Namibian child,” Angala noted.
He emphasised the importance of delivering quality education saying it must be a shared responsibility. “It is important that every stakeholder play their part effectively to complement government efforts to provide quality education to the Namibian nation. The parents, the unions, the churches, civil society organisations, traditional authorities and the private sector must give the necessary support to the ministry of education,” he urged.
Nanso also called on the administrators in the ministry of education, to provide all necessary support to schools and teachers, regardless of region, tribe, religious or political affiliation. According to the student body the delivery of quality education to the Namibian child must be the priority.
Angala echoed the words of the Minister of Education, Dr David Namwandi when he announced the Grade 10 results last year December for regions to develop action plans to improve this year’s results.
The student body also applauded the ministry of education and the government for the implementation of free basic education, saying schools should budget accordingly based on priorities and what is important when it comes to providing quality education.
“We further encourage the ministry to continue making education accessible to all levels. The desire of government to extent free education to secondary schools is a gallant one. Therefore we call upon all progressive citizens to support government and make sure that free secondary education is a reality,” Angala said. Angala said most of the time when new schools are build they only consist of classrooms and office blocks, adding that structures such as libraries, science and computer laboratories should also be included to make study more conducive for learners.
“We request the ministry to develop an “Ideal Public School Model” which will indicate the necessary structures to be constructed at any public school and budget according to this model. This will ensure uniformity and standard infrastructure at all schools in the country,” he maintained. Nanso also encouraged Namwandi to continue with his surprise visits to schools all over Namibia and to rectify “the ill habits within our schools.” “We also expect him to encourage teachers and learners to do their best in their work and listen to their grievances,” the student body said.
By Albertina Nakale