RUNDU – School performance is not necessarily underpinned by the financial resources at the disposal of the school, but rather by the commitment and dedication of both teachers and learners. Hence, learners and teachers must work with dedication to excel instead of only looking at government spending on education as the remedy to the country’s needs for skill development, Deputy Minister of Education Silvia Makgone said during her meeting with inspectors, principals and subject advisors from Ohangwena, Caprivi and Kavango regions. The education sector received N$10.7 billion of the national budget for the 2013/2014 financial year, up by N$1.3 billion from the N$9.4 billion allocated in the previous financial year. Makgone said the level of commitment among secondary schools varies and this is manifested in the results for Grade 10 and Grade 12. “Both 2011 and 2012 results have proven to the nation that it is not all about resources at schools, rather, it is all about commitment and dedication of teachers and the learners. For the last two years Namibia’s best Grade 12 learners  came from a village school with limited resources. We have witnessed rural schools outperforming many urban schools. Schools that do not discriminate against learners by selecting only the best achievers but add value to any learners who enroll,” observed Makgone. Makgone said she called the educators in order to urge them to redouble their efforts, dedication and commitment towards “your calling as educators”. The public schools were asked to stop enrolling learners based on their abilities only because “every Namibian child is entitled by the constitution to be enrolled for school once they turn six years.” Makgone further urged teachers to take learner assessment and evaluation seriously, adding: “A single mistake in learner assessment can distract or destroy the entire future life of a learner.” The deputy minister also urged all education civil servants to spend more time working and not just idling on petty issues. “Our core business is education and training; nothing more nothing less. We must shun tribalism, nepotism, favouritism, ethnicity, racism and laziness which are alleged to be among some inspectors and other human resource advisory committees and personal advisory committees when considering appointments or promotion of teachers who are not of the same language as they are,” she said. Makgone made it clear that it really bothers her to know there are employees within her ministry undermining and breaking each other down while education is suffering. “You all have a common target and goal to reach, which is to implement quality education in schools. You are appointed to render quality services to schools in your different capacities,” she said. Story by Mathias Haufiku