ONGWEDIVA – Teachers from all corners of the country are against the dismissal of Petrus Ndeulita, a teacher from Hashiyana Primary School in Ongwediva.

He was dismissed after allegedly forcing a 7th-grade learner to hold a chair over his head for over an hour in 2021 as a form of punishment.

The teachers state that the ministry of education and culture erred in its decision.

Among them is Petrus Shiweva, who said they have mobilised thousands of their colleagues to stand in solidarity with Ndeulita at a time when discipline among learners is said to be at an all-time low.

“We have already made enough contributions for his legal cost to challenge this unfair dismissal, which was made as an agenda between education director Sanet Steenkamp and her friend Amon Ndaitwa, the former principal. We understand they are friends, and the whole investigation was done without the consultation of the acting principal,” he said.

He remarked that allegations are that Ndaitwa has shown people text messages between him and Steenkamp, and how they concocted and executed Ndeulita’s dismissal.

Shiweva said while they are challenging this through the courts, they are planning to stage a demonstration to demand Ndeulita’s reinstatement with immediate effect.

“We will not rest until justice prevails,” he added.

Another teacher, who chose to remain anonymous, said it is very sad that they are being treated “like dogs”.

“Our rights, as teachers to learners, are no longer considered and recognised. Nowadays, learners are ill-disciplined and disrespectful towards teachers,” the teacher vented her frustration.

Contacted for comment, Steenkamp referred New Era to the Office of the Prime Minister.

“On the issue of being in contact with the former principal, I have many principals on my contact list, including him, and there is nothing wrong with communicating with the principal,” she said.

When contacted, Oshana education director Pauline Shapumba said she did not know anything about the case, and she was not in the office at the time.

Popular Democratic Movement leader McHenry Venani posted on his X platform that if the teacher lost his job by letting a student hold a chair and nothing else or any other impropriety, he must get his job back.

“The discipline of our children has deteriorated to the point that it affects societal behaviour. He needs a warning,” he posted.

The Namibia National Teachers Union (Nantu) is fully aware of the alleged misconduct levelled against Ndeulita.

“Our legal counsel has been instructed to act on the matter with the urgency it deserves, and the cost of this matter will be fully borne by the union. 

Therefore, the office of the secretary general is requesting members to remain calm, and wait for the outcome of the process.

“There are allegations that many people have gone to early retirement, and transferred to schools because of Ndeitwa. 

He has several police cases with several teachers. It is further said that the corporal punishment issue is a set-up from the father of the learner involved and the principal because they are close,” read a statement issued by the union.

It continued: “According to the reliable source, Ndeitwa has been behind them, the father and the child, insisting that they should create trouble for Ndeulita to get fired. It was very clear in the actions of the learner, because the allegation that the child held the chair for an hour is fabricated”.

-vkaapanda@nepc.com.na