By Frederick Philander
WINDHOEK
A teacher educator is at the heart of how Namibia educates its children and is critical to how the country’s education system performs as the key to the future.
So said Prime Minister Nahas Angula on Monday evening at the service awards ceremony of the Windhoek College of Education in Khomasdal.
Quite a number of the institution’s staff were honoured for academic, administrative and dedicated long service.
“I am fully aware of the fact that the role of teacher educators is not fully appreciated by the public at large. It is for this reason that the condition of service of teacher educators is not as attractive as it should be. With the introduction of ETSIP one hopes that the conditions of service of teacher educators will also improve,” said Angula.
According to him, teacher educators have been soldering on for a long time to deliver public service despite poor conditions.
“You whom we are tonight honouring are exemplary to the whole public service of Namibia. Your unselfish service has enabled the education sector to produce teachers with appropriate skills, competencies and expertise to manage our classrooms.
Thank you for your commitment, dedication and hard work. We are proud of you,” he said of education considered to be a government priority.
“We are all aware that the primary wealth of our country is our people.
The intellectual, emotional and physical development of our children is the first call for all of us. Therefore, the contribution to this effort by our teacher educators cannot be over-emphasized.
“Furthermore, I wish to urge all those involved in educational provision to redouble their efforts to ensure that our national education system is productive, effective and of high quality,” the PM concluded whereafter silver, bronze and gold certificates were handed over to the staff.