Iuze Mukube
The Regional Teachers Academic Achievement Awards ceremony took place at Windhoek High School on Wednesday, rewarding the crème de la crème of educators in Khomas.
The event is hinged on rewarding educators for their exceptional dedication and contribution to the profession, especially to the academic growth of their learners.
The Khomas Regional Council and the directorate of education hosted the event.
Chairperson of the Khomas Regional Council, John Moonde, stated that the award ceremony is a platform to recognise the hard work and dedication of teachers.
“We have gathered here not just to celebrate the achievements of our teachers, but also to give due regard to our values and morals, which these awardees exemplify like discipline, compassion and zeal for teaching,” Moonde said. He noted that the “awards are a way to encourage diligence, and inculcate a competitive spirit.” This, he said, is the reason why the region organises award ceremonies every year to encourage its schools and teachers to do better.
“I am pleased with how our dear teachers have been performing and excelling in their respective areas of duty.”
Meanwhile, Khomas education director Paulus Nghikembua highlighted the improvement in the learners’ performance, with Khomas ranking first for the Namibia Senior Secondary Certificate Ordinary (NSSCO) level in 2023.
“The directorate is concerned about the Namibia Senior Secondary Certificate Advanced Subsidiary (NSSCAS) level due to the unsatisfactory performance of learners, as their national ranking dropped from 7 to 10,” He said.
Nghikembua encouraged an attitude of positivity at work that will help create a collaborative and supportive culture that fosters productivity and personal growth.
On her part, Khomas governor Laura McLeod-Katjirua was gratified to see the continuous competitive improvements in terms of individual performances, and the emergence of new candidates.
“I am reliably informed that the number of teachers to be awarded has increased from 150 last year to 190 this year, which is very commendable indeed,” the politician said.
To drive her message home, McLeod-Katjirua borrowed from a Chinese proverb, saying, “He who blames others has a long way to go on his journey. He who blames himself is halfway there. He who blames no one has arrived.”
This, she said, is to encourage collaboration and teamwork rooted in a “strong belief that we can do it.”
“There is no substitute for hard work, and success is the sum of all efforts, repeated day in and day out. Let us all walk that extra mile in the best interest of our great Khomas region,” she said.
Winners
There were 10 categories of awarding, based on the percentage of pass rate.
In category eight, Khomastura High School won the most improved ordinary level, ranking 13 out of 38 on the national rankings.
School principal Rakkel Amunwe told New Era that she was very happy with what the school has achieved, and that they will keep up the good work as they are now in the spotlight. The principal of A. Shipena Secondary School, Moses Haufiku, was extraordinarily happy after three students from the school were recognised for their outstanding performances.
“Our school was always in a bad light, and since there is a lack of teaching resources with learners from a somewhat tough economic background, it was hard for other schools to recognise our efforts. We put the Katutura flavour in it, and worked extra hard. Teachers used to come on weekends or at any time for extra lessons, so I am happy we are being recognised and rewarded,” Haufiku said.