Rudolf Gaiseb
Swapo member and Elim constituency councillor in the Omusati region Gerhard Shiimi, has urged the ministry of education to develop a well-thought-out plan on the implementation of free education.
He said the Namibia Students’ Financial Assistance Fund’s reintegration into government administration will be a challenge for many students, as the loan used to assist in catering for accommodation and transport fees through refunds that the students used to get.
“As we develop the implementation strategy, let us be thoughtful of the less fortunate, and ensure that our plan is all-inclusive,” he said.
Speaking at day two of the National Council on Tuesday, while deliberating on the Appropriation Bill, he lauded the initiative of free tertiary education as an excellent thought.
He called on the government to ensure that all efforts are dedicated towards maximum revenue-collection from all streams, so that the plan can be realised with no financial hindrance.
“We have a lot of key revenue-collection streams, such as the Namibia Revenue Agency, Epangelo Mining, De Beers, Namib Desert Diamonds, Namibia Wildlife Resort, Windhoek Country Club and the Gambling Board of Namibia that can collect maximum revenue through betting, but to date is not fully-empowered,” he added.
He implored that the collective call should be to ensure that government schools are equipped with all necessary aids and equipment, and that the learning environment is exceptional and parallel to all private schools.
On the other hand, he is concerned about teachers, health workers and people who suffer year in year out during the rainy season.
He highlighted that the budget should address access and connecting roads to schools and clinics.
“Schools are closing and learning is affected; access to primary healthcare is halted, yet assessments are being done, and action is minimal. We, therefore, call on the minister of Works and Transport to prioritise at least one school each financial year in every affected constituency until we have addressed the situation fully,” he noted.
Shiimi suggested that the Ministry of Defence and Veterans’ Affairs develop a database categorising all war veterans while alive.
The database is expected to assist in allocating types of send-offs for them, rather than waiting for councillors to write recommendations for them when they are no more.
“This process is time-consuming, and prolongs the mourning period of our heroes and heroines. The veterans of our liberation struggle are ageing, and time and again, they are departing. Our veterans deserve befitting send-offs,” he said.