Govt outlines plans to professionalise sports teaching

In a bold declaration during a sports stakeholder engagement in Rundu on Saturday, deputy minister of education, sports and youth, Dino Ballotti, announced that physical education (PE) is being repositioned as a full-fledged, examinable school subject – on par with core academic disciplines like mathematics and English.Speaking to a room filled with coaches and education officers, Ballotti said the Integrated Physical Education and School Sports (IPES) plan is aimed at giving PE the academic weight it deserves.“We’re moving towards a system where you’re not just teaching English and math and then a little bit of PE. We will have qualified teachers who only teach PE, and they will be paid the same as any other subject teacher,” he said to applause.However, Ballotti underscored the need for professional development. “We cannot just say, ‘I’m a coach, and therefore I must be in these 192 schools in Kavango East.’ The coaches who want to become PE teachers must capacitate themselves. That’s why I’m here – to talk about empowerment,” he said.Grassroots developmentHis remarks were delivered during a coaches&#039; engagement session, which forms part of a national effort to improve grassroots sports development and strengthen school-based athletics. The visit came amid growing calls for better inclusion, particularly for women in coaching roles.Coaches expressed concern that while various sporting codes are active in Rundu, rugby remains notably absent. Others raised questions over the management and access of key facilities such as the Dr Romanus Kampungu and Noordgrens stadiums. Some allege that unclear ownership structures have made it difficult for communities to make full use of these venues.Ballotti pledged to follow up on the stadium concerns and to provide answers at the official launch of the national coaches’ platform. “Your voices are important – and the transformation we seek must be inclusive,” he said.

Govt outlines plans to professionalise sports teaching

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Namibian Sun 2026-01-19

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Govt outlines plans to professionalise sports teaching

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Namibian Sun 2026-01-19

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