By Frederick Philander WINDHOEK “The input of every individual teacher through teaching largely determines the quality of education outcome. However, there is a widespread view that many teachers in Namibian schools are not up to the job.” This is the view of the Employment Equity Commissioner, Vilbard Usiku, during a NANTU workshop in the capital recently. He addressed the gathering of teachers serving in the newly-elected Teachers Council of the organization on NANTU’s Role in the Realization of Vision 2030. Usiku cited various reasons why the public has a negative view of teachers, claiming that some teachers are not adequately qualified in the subjects they teach. “Some teachers are not proficient in the English language, the medium of instruction; some do not prepare themselves thoroughly for their day’s lessons and some teachers are ever absent, depriving learners of an opportunity to be taught. To crown it all, the public further claims that some teachers are poorly trained in the professional methodology of teaching,” Usiku said. He further charged that some teachers’ behaviour and conduct do not command respect among learners and the general public and thus can’t be role models for the learners they teach. “Some teachers do not develop their professional competencies through qualification improvements and research, and do not have a culture of reading to acquaint themselves with the latest development and latest information in their subjects of specialization and, even though some teachers are adequately qualified, do not work hard and they grossly neglect their duties,” Usiku said.