Windhoek
The Legal Assistance Centre (LAC) has called on learners to speak out and engage with trusted adults and their fellow learners should they be confronted with any inappropriate situation.
LAC issued this counsel on Wednesday in the wake of the double murder of Cecilia Kambuu Kuaseua, 30, and her younger sister Jaqueline Kuaseua,18, allegedly by Ananias Kamati a fortnight ago. Kamati was Jaqueline’s Oshiherero class teacher and previously her lover.
LAC director Toni Hancox has called on parents and the entire communities to be vigilant and to support learners whether through reporting of known teacher learner relationships or by helping a child who speaks out about a relationship with a teacher.
“Responsibility is not only with government alone. We call on all teachers to hold their peers accountable for their actions,” she said.
She said there is a legal mechanism in place and “so yet again we are forced to call for better implementation”.
Hancox says the Ministry of Education must do better in investigating and adequately implementing disciplinary measures when cases are reported.
“Safeguards must be put in place to ensure that a teacher cannot escape investigation by merely resigning from his or position,” stated the LAC director.
Hancox suggested schools employing new teachers should do thorough background checks and screening of staff before employing them.
Hancox says children are the most vulnerable group in the society.
“We must give them the safest possible environment and this means ensuring that all staff employed are of the highest calibre – which includes their moral standards,” she added.
She called on all teachers to adhere to code of conduct for the teaching service that states: “Teachers may not become involved in any form of romance or sexual relations with learners or sexual harassment or abuse of a learner.”
Failure to adhere to the code of conduct could result in disciplinary procedures, which ultimately could lead to the dismissal of the culprits.
Hancox says such prohibitive and clear consequences should be enough of a deterrent to any teacher.
“Learners should be made aware of the clause and of the fact that it is not appropriate for a teacher to engage in a relationship with a learner,” she stated.