Student leaders demand classrooms for Ndama East Primary  Allexer Namundjembo Student leaders have demanded the immediate provision of classrooms for more than 550 learners at Ndama East Primary School in Rundu.  The learners are being taught under trees by only 14 teachers. The Student Union of Namibia (SUN) national secretary for information and publicity, Johannes Malapi, said the lack of classrooms is a blatant violation of Article 20 of the Namibian Constitution.  “It also amounts to discrimination under Article 10, as rural learners are denied the same quality education afforded to their urban peers,” Malapi told the  Windhoek Observer on Tuesday. He accused teachers’ unions for failing to defend  educators in such conditions.  “Silence in the face of this crisis is complicity,” he said. He praised activists and community leaders who exposed the issue.  “We salute the courage of those who have brought this issue to light.” Also speaking on the matter, National African Students Association (Nasa) spokesperson Mitch Muatuli also called for urgent solutions.  “This situation is unacceptable and requires immediate, practical solutions. We are advocating for temporary classrooms or shelters to ensure learners have a safe and dignified environment while long-term solutions are developed,” he said. Muatuli urged the ministry of education and private partners to prioritise permanent classrooms.  “In light of the delays that usually come with big projects, the government should establish clear mechanisms to monitor progress and ensure that the situation in Ndama is resolved promptly, while also advocating for similar improvements across the country,” he said.  He added that Nasa will send a regional team to Ndama to assess the conditions and gather insights for advocacy. The student bodies condemned the neglect of rural schools, highlighting the imbalance where some schools with proper facilities close due to low enrolment, while others like Ndama operate without classrooms. The Namibia National Students Organisation (Nanso) through spokesperson Jessy Abraham, called the situation “a fundamental failure of the education system and a betrayal of children’s constitutional right to quality education.”  She urged both immediate and long-term interventions.  “It is imperative that we improve school infrastructure across the country, equip every school with modern educational tools and technologies, and end the systemic neglect of rural schools. Accountability must be enforced through regular audits and public reporting, with communities actively involved in maintaining facilities. The government must treat educational infrastructure as a national priority, and all stakeholders, including regional authorities, the private sector, and international partners, must work together to address this crisis without delay,” she said. The unions also criticised government spending priorities, saying funds for one-day celebrations should be redirected to urgent needs like classrooms and job creation.  They acknowledged that five schools were built in Rundu over the past two years but stressed that Ndama requires immediate attention. Earlier this year, Ombudsman Basilius Dyakugha and his team visited Ndama East Primary School in Rundu.  The school, established by community members in 2022, has 630 learners and 15 volunteer teachers. With only three corrugated iron classrooms, most lessons take place under 13 large trees. At that time, the chief complaint investigator in the Ombudsman’s office, Utjitiraije Mberirua, said the visit followed complaints from the Ndama East community.  Residents also recently expressed concern that children continue to learn under trees, often exposed to harsh weather conditions.

#EducationForAll #ClassroomCrisis #StudentActivism #NamibiaEducation #RuralEducation

Are honorary PhDs in Namibia sending the right message? Allexer Namundjembo  Namibia has seen a growing trend of awarding honorary doctorates to sitting politicians and high-ranking officials.  While intended to recognise public service, we must ask: are we equating political office with academic achievement? Honorary degrees should celebrate exceptional contributions to society or scholarship. When they are routinely given to presidents or ministers without evident academic work, the value of higher education risks being diluted.  Sociologist Pierre Bourdieu reminds us: “Education is not just about knowledge. It is a means of establishing legitimacy and authority. When credentials are given without the corresponding effort, the social value of education is undermined.” Reggae legend Bob Marley also said, “Don’t gain the world and lose your soul. Wisdom is more precious than gold.” These words resonate when public recognition favours title over substance. Other governments, like Kenya, have moved away from awarding honorary PhDs to politicians to maintain the integrity of academic accolades. Globally, universities are scrutinising such awards to ensure they reflect genuine merit rather than political expediency. The question remains: does Namibia’s trend inspire citizens to value education, or does it create cynicism by implying leadership alone warrants academic honours? Countries like the UK, US, and South Africa restrict honorary degrees to individuals with indisputable contributions, reinforcing the prestige of these awards. If Namibia wants to cultivate a culture that values education, research, and innovation, the criteria for honorary PhDs must reflect true achievement. Leadership alone should not automatically confer academic recognition. True leaders inspire through vision, service, and the pursuit of knowledge, not ceremonial degrees. Let us ensure that our academic honours retain their value and continue to motivate meaningful contributions to society. *Namundjembo is a linguist with a Bachelor’s degree in English and Linguistics. He is currently an Honours student at the Namibia University of Science and Technology (Nust). The views expressed in this opinion piece are his own.

#HonoraryDegrees #NamibiaEducation #AcademicIntegrity #PublicService #HigherEducation

Choir singing in schools supports National Development Goals Choir singing in schools supports National Development Goals NBC Online Sun, 08/17/2025 - 14:51

#ChoirSinging #NationalDevelopment #ArtsInEducation #NamibiaEducation #CommunityHarmony

Interview: NANSO Raises Alarm Over Inequality and Neglect in Government Schools  The National Students Organization (NANSO) has voiced serious concerns about the unequal distribution of resources and lack of timely interventions in Namibia’s public schools. Dorthea Nangola, NANSO President, said the...

#EducationForAll #UnequalResources #SchoolInequality #NamibiaEducation #NANSO

98% of children have access to education – deputy education ED Deputy executive director of education, innovation, youth, sport, arts and culture Edda Bohn highlighted Namibia’s education progress and challenges while reflecting on the Day of the African Child and the Soweto uprising on Monday. She said access to education has greatly improved, with around 98% of children in Namibia enrolled for school. “We are very proud to say that close to 100%, 98% in fact, have access to education. The main challenge for us is to keep the throughput constant, ensuring that learners who start school complete it and achieve meaningful outcomes,” she said. Despite these gains, Bohn said overcrowded classrooms, lack of infrastructure, and disparities between urban and rural schools remain significant hurdles. She stated the ministry is working through a rolling budget system and medium-term expenditure frameworks to address these gaps. Bohn pointed to the government’s efforts since 2022 to prioritise education funding and the importance of partnerships in transforming the education sector. “Education is a shared responsibility, and we can only do it together. We are allocating resources and calling on partners to help achieve the goals we’ve set,” she said. To support rural and marginalised communities, she that the ministry uses an incentive system to attract qualified teachers to remote areas, often referred to as a “bush allowance”. She also highlighted progress in expanding digital connectivity between schools, including plans to connect 50 more schools by 2030. Bohn referenced the Namibia Safe Schools Framework, launched in 2018, which encourages close collaboration between schools and their surrounding communities. “We are retraining schools and communities on the framework. We also emphasise access control, school fencing, and security services to make sure all children feel safe,” she said. As the country celebrates African children and reflects on their rights, Bohn reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to ensuring every Namibian child not only has a place in school but also receives a quality education in a safe environment. Speaking to Desert FM as well was general Mike Mari, a survivor of the 1976 Soweto uprising, who was a Grade 9 student at the time. He described 16 June 1976 as a normal school day “until chaos erupted”. Mari said students from other schools entered his classroom and urged everyone to join the protest against Afrikaans as the medium of instruction in schools. “We were in the classroom and suddenly there was commotion and chaos . . . students came into our class with placards saying ‘Away with Afrikaans’,” he said. Mari said the protest quickly grew, with students marching from one school to another, aiming to converge at Orlando Stadium, but before they could reach their destination, the police caught up with them in Mofolo and opened fire. Mari recalled the tear gas and live ammunition used against the students. “We tasted tear gas for the first time, and we scattered. Bottle stores, shops, and municipal offices were burned. White-owned vehicles were stoned. It was traumatic and chaotic,” he said. Mari said he lost a schoolmate and close friend during the protest, describing the moment as haunting. His friend had been shot and didn’t even realise it until blood began to show, and later died in hospital. The following days saw even more unrest, Mari said, with arrests and increased police presence across Soweto. Many young people fled to other provinces or went into exile. Mari himself left South Africa in 1977. “Soweto became a ghost town. If you were a student and moving around, you were arrested. That’s when many went into exile,” he said. The post 98% of children have access to education – deputy education ED appeared first on The Namibian.

#EducationForAll #NamibiaEducation #DayOfTheAfricanChild #ChildrensRights #AccessToEducation

Education ministry submits evidence in WHS case Hertta-Maria Amutenja The government has submitted documents detailing how it appointed a new principal for Windhoek High School.  This follows claims by the school board that the ministry of education ignored proper procedures and left the board out of key parts of the hiring process. In court papers filed at the Windhoek High Court, the school board, led by chairperson Tertius Stears, is asking the court to set aside the appointment of Teofilus Nuugulu.  His appointment was set to begin on 6 May 2025. The board argues the process was not transparent and failed to follow the Basic Education Act of 2020. Nuugulu, currently principal at Okahandja Secondary School, scored 61.2% during interviews held earlier this year.  He ranked first among seven candidates. But the board believes that a score is not enough for someone leading a school like Windhoek High. “The highest interview score of 61% is considerably below the standard we expect for a leadership role of this significance. Windhoek High School has long maintained a reputation for excellence, and we believe this must be reflected in the calibre of its leadership,” the court record reads. The board says the education ministry pushed forward with the appointment despite concerns about the candidates.  The board also objects to having only an observer role during interviews.  It had no say in choosing candidates, setting interview questions, or running assessments. “In accordance with the Basic Education Act, the governance of a state school is entrusted to its school board. We believe that it is vital for the school board to be fully engaged in the recruitment process for a school principal to ensure transparency and accountability,” the review states. The court record highlights three main concerns: the low overall performance of candidates, unclear scoring practices, and the board’s limited role in the process. The ministry of education responded by filing documents with the Teaching Service Committee.  These include interview minutes, shortlisting criteria, the panellists’ oath of secrecy, written test results, and all employment applications.  The file also contains the original job advert, a breakdown of interview scores, a schedule of all applicants, and Cabinet approval to fill the post.  The court documents confirmed the ministry’s issuance of an offer letter and transfer to Nuugulu. The principal position became vacant in 2023.  The recruitment process ended earlier this year, and Nuugulu’s appointment was announced soon after. The court has postponed the matter for hearing this week.  The ministry is expected to file opposing papers.

#Education #WindhoekHighSchool #NamibiaEducation #SchoolLeadership #EducationReform

No more makeshift school structures – deputy education minister Ballotti Deputy minister of education, innovation, youth, arts, and culture Dino Ballotti has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring that no child in Namibia attends school in makeshift structures. Speaking at a regional briefing with the directorate of education management in the Kavango West region on Friday, he highlighted the ministry’s dedication to improving education and acknowledged the region’s resilience despite ongoing challenges. “The commitment for the region is that we will not have pupils going to schools in makeshift infrastructure. “We will fix that, that I can tell you today. There’s no way, with a 24-billion budget, we will not be able to find 10 million to fix that solution,” Ballotti said. He said the education sector faces numerous challenges, many of which stem from the lack of prioritisation and balanced resource allocation. “I’m just sharing the realities. How can we be painting a school in Windhoek while we have schools breaking down? “These are the realities we face in schools, but we don’t even talk about the dilapidated schools. Some schools are not even safe, and that’s where our friends from the media will hold the government accountable. ‘It’s a question of balancing the resources. That’s the challenge we face. This is not the Republic of Commerce – I say that everywhere I go, it’s the Republic of Namibia,” he said. Ballotti said with the budget allocations within the mid-term expenditure framework, there is a pressing need for greater accountability. “We can’t allow months and years to pass once the budget has been made available. I am particularly concerned about schools lacking ablution facilities and access to water – these are real challenges. “I believe we need to be more resourceful. Just because the budget is available does not mean we can be complacent,” he said. “You can hold me accountable. Even if we don’t build a football stadium, we will make sure children are not going to school in makeshift structures. “It’s not acceptable that Bravo School, specifically serving a marginalised community, has been in a makeshift structure for six or seven years, it’s simply not good enough,” Ballotti said. He said he appreciated private sector partners and government agencies which have chosen to invest in classroom construction and administrative infrastructure. “I shall commend them and appreciate them. But the fact that the government built 50 classrooms in this region last year, yet did not prioritise 20 classrooms – which is all that was needed to resolve the makeshift situation – is not acceptable. “I don’t know who is responsible, but we must all take responsibility. We cannot accept that in 2025, there are still pupils going to school in makeshift infrastructure,” he urged. Ballotti pledged renewed seriousness in improving education, youth development, sport, and innovation. “Just because resources are constrained doesn’t mean we cannot compete. “Twenty-nine schools without proper structures are too many – and that is not going to continue,” he said. – Nampa The post No more makeshift school structures – deputy education minister Ballotti appeared first on The Namibian.

#EducationReform #NamibiaEducation #SchoolInfrastructure #YouthEmpowerment #InnovationInEducation

Parents call for national boycott over Khoekhoegowab language removal Hertta-Maria Amutenja  A group of parents and community members are planning a nationwide boycott on 5 May 2025 in protest against the removal of Khoekhoegowab as a subject at Auas Primary School in Windhoek. The announcement came on Tuesday during the delivery of a petition to the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture. The petition alleges that Khoekhoegowab, an indigenous language, has been sidelined at the school, in violation of the Basic Education Act and Namibia’s national language policy. “We are asking all parents, community members and stakeholders to mobilise themselves to inform the police in your area that we are going to have a national boycott and demand answers on 5th May 2025 at regional offices and the head office,” the petition states. Parents claim that Khoekhoegowab was removed without proper consultation and that some learners were redirected to Afrikaans. The petition says this decision was made without informing or involving parents. “We, the parents of Auas Primary School, are deeply concerned about the continuous removal and marginalisation of Khoekhoegowab at the school. This action is not only discriminatory but also unconstitutional and in direct violation of the Basic Education Act 3 of 2020,” the petition reads. According to the petitioners, limited access to Khoekhoegowab has persisted for several years, but the situation worsened in 2024.  Only a small number of learners reportedly still have access to the language at the school. “The deliberate marginalisation of our language is robbing our children of their identity, heritage, and pride. We therefore demand that the ministry investigate this matter and ensure that Khoekhoegowab is reinstated and preserved,” the petition continues. Parents argue that the school’s decision to prioritise Afrikaans and Oshikwanyama undermines the language needs of a predominantly Damara-speaking community. “The school cannot unilaterally decide which languages are important and which ones are not. This is a decision that must follow national policy and be inclusive,” said one parent. This protest follows earlier allegations reported by the Windhoek Observer this month against the school’s principal, Toini Nauyoma.  A letter dated 10 April and submitted to the Minister of Education, the Public Service Commission (PSC), and the Ombudsman accused Nauyoma of cultural insensitivity, unfair recruitment practices, and administrative misconduct. The PSC has confirmed receipt of the complaint, and the regional education director, Paulus Nghikembua, met with the complainants. Community activist Shaun Gariseb, who authored the April complaint, claimed that during a staff meeting, Nauyoma instructed teachers not to speak to the media or to him, stating that the matter would go away. “She is wrong. But now I understand why she has that confidence and why teachers are scared. They fear victimisation,” said Gariseb.Efforts to obtain comments from the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture were unsuccessful at the time of publication.

#BoycottKhoekhoegowab #SaveIndigenousLanguages #KhoekhoegowabRights #EducationForAll #NamibiaEducation

Youth bodies demand urgent fix to hostel food crisis Allexer Namundjembo Youth and student organisations are demanding urgent intervention from the education ministry over the ongoing food crisis in government hostels, following procurement delays that have left many learners without meals. The Landless People’s Movement (LPM), Affirmative Repositioning Students Command (ARSC), and Students Union of Namibia (SUN) have criticised the ministry for failing to ensure food supply in hostels and warned of the impact on learners’ health and academic performance. LPM Youth Command spokesperson William Minnie blamed the crisis on bureaucratic inefficiency and political interference. “It’s a failure of governance when children go hungry because of governmental ineptitude,” he said.  He accused the government of prioritising tender deals over learners’ basic needs and called for a complete overhaul of the procurement system, including decentralisation and stronger accountability. They also urged for an overhaul of the procurement system, advocating for decentralisation, transparency, and a focus on public welfare. “The government that can’t feed its children has forfeited its legitimacy,” Minnie said.  ARSC UNAM main campus chairperson Johanna Frans said the procurement dispute has caused unnecessary hardship for learners. “It is one of the current contributing factors for an innocent Namibian child to fail due to the unmanaged resources, which in this case will be due to a lack of food,” she said. She criticised the ministry for allowing the previous catering contract to lapse without securing a replacement. “What if the ministry’s procurement division is tasked with food distribution? The tenders in the government system will not work. Look at what is happening in the health ministry. Hospitals are running out of medicine because those who are entrusted with tenders are failing to deliver on time. This is not good for Namibia,” Frans added. Students Union of Namibia (SUN) president Bismarck Shikesho said the crisis is a direct violation of learners’ right to education and well-being. “A hungry learner cannot concentrate in class, which negatively impacts academic performance, mental health, and overall development,” he said. Shikesho called on the Ministry of Education to apologise and implement a plan for emergency food relief to avoid further disruptions. “The ministry must urgently address the legal and logistical challenges hindering the procurement of food supplies to ensure that all hostels receive sufficient and nutritious food without delay. Exploring emergency procurement measures is essential to prevent any disruption to learners’ meals,” he added.  He also recommended regular audits and oversight to improve transparency and prevent similar problems in the future. The National Africa Students Association (NASA) president, Muzani Muzani, said it would only comment if hostels completely ran out of food. “As it stands, the association will only comment once schools run out of food or when the ministry has solved all its legal battles,” said Muzani. In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Ministry of Education confirmed that it could not extend contracts of the previous food suppliers, which ended in March, due to the expiration of approval previously granted by the Ministry of Finance. It added that the current procurement process is caught in legal battles. The ministry cited a second review order issued on 19 March after two bidders requested a review and noted that the High Court ruled on 24 March in a contempt of court appeal involving the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Education, Pamo Trading Enterprises, and other parties.

#YouthCrisis #FoodSecurity #StudentVoices #NamibiaEducation #HostelFood