2008-06-24Staff Report 2 By John Ekongo WINDHOEK A countrywide peaceful demonstration by students from colleges of education in support of their lecturers was called off at the eleventh hour after the trainers resumed work on the advice of Namibia National Teachers Union (Nantu). The demonstrators were to hand over a petition to the Minister of Education, Nangolo Mbumba, with an urgent appeal for the Government to speed up the negotiation process. The date has now been set for tomorrow. Sources indicate that negotiations are under way between the Government and the striking lecturers of the colleges of education in Ongwediva, Rundu and Katima Mulilo, hence the lecturers' return to work. Earlier, the trainers had vowed not to go back to work until the Government offers them a reasonable answer to their demands or meets their request for salary increments. This comes in the wake of a threat by the Government that if they failed to resume their work, they might lose their jobs. New Era has it on good authority that Nantu top echelons were locked in a meeting with the Government for the most part of yesterday. According to some of the lecturers, the outcome of yesterday's meeting between Nantu and Government is only expected today. No one was available for comment by the time of going to press. 2008-06-24Staff Report 2
