Windhoek High sues govt over principal appointment
Board says 61% is below the standard
The successful candidate is questioning the 'motive' behind denying him a job at the historically privileged school.
Government-owned Windhoek High School has taken the education ministry to court, contesting the appointment of Teofilus Nuugulu as the new principal.
Nuugulu, currently the Okahandja Secondary School principal, was set to assume his new role this month.
However, Nuugulu's appointment faced immediate resistance from the Tertius Stears-chaired school board.
The school board argues that Nuugulu lacks the technical and leadership skills required to head the prestigious institution.
Despite Nuugulu emerging as the top candidate in the interviews, the board maintains there is insufficient evidence to support his suitability for the role.
Nuugulu scored 61.2%, placing him first among seven candidates.
Marcia Smith followed him with 60.6% and Rupembe Sindano with 56.8%.
In correspondence with education ministry officials, Stears described Nuugulu’s score as underwhelming, arguing that a successful candidate should have achieved a significantly higher mark.
Stears also expressed concern over the limited role afforded to the school board during the recruitment process.
“In accordance with the Basic Education Act of 2020 (Act No. 3 of 2020), 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," Stears wrote.
"Unfortunately, in this instance, the school board's involvement was limited to a short-notice invitation for the chairperson to attend the interviews strictly as an observer,” he added.
Below-standard score
He argued that the board should have been involved in key aspects such as candidate shortlisting, interview question development and the design and administration of aptitude tests.
“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 as well,” he continued.
“The results indicate a gap in readiness among the current candidates when compared to higher-performing candidates from previous rounds of interviews for this position. For these reasons, the school board cannot support the recommended candidate.”
He noted further that “the low scores and inconsistencies in the ratings have raised concerns about whether the interviewed and recommended candidates possess the necessary skills and experience to effectively lead the institution.”
Demanding role
Stears also emphasised the demanding nature of the principal’s role.
“The role of the school principal demands a leader with demonstrated interpersonal and communication skills, intercultural intelligence and the necessary qualifications for this position.
"The ideal candidate should exhibit strong leadership qualities, strategic thinking and analytical skills, coupled with proven decision-making abilities and a deep understanding of educational legislation, national curricula, and programmes.
“This role also extends beyond routine administrative duties; it requires a visionary leader with the operational expertise to manage the school's complex environment and cultivate a positive culture that supports academic excellence and holistic learner development,” added Stears, who is also the group CEO of Sanlam Namibia.
Standard recruitment process
In response, the education ministry has defended its procedures.
Officials argued that Windhoek High, a school of excellence, is still subject to the standard recruitment framework applied across all government schools.
“We could not craft an advert based on the school itself, sir; otherwise, the day that the advert is released to the public to show their interest is the day the Anti-Corruption Commission, Office the Ombudsman and Office of the Prime Minister (Public Service Commission) will launch an investigation of corrupt practices,” senior ministry official Rebekka Enkono told Stears in one of their correspondences.
“As much as the directorate [of education in Khomas Region] would like to preserve the culture of the school, its status quo, and as someone who is thoroughly acquainted with the administration and operations of the school, we are unable to do that because we do not have any control of which candidate to apply or not to apply.”
Stears has now approached the High Court, seeking a judicial review and the setting aside of Nuugulu’s appointment.
Message to black educators
Reached for comment, Nuugulu questioned the motive behind the resistance to his appointment.
“Even after I was declared the successful candidate, people kept pushing for the process to be redone. What kind of message does that send to other black educators?" he asked.
“I was supposed to start my new job on 6 May, but at the end of last month, I was suddenly served with court papers. The school board applied to the High Court to set aside the interview process. I don’t understand how that was entertained by the ministry [of education],” he remarked.
Education ministry spokesperson Sam Shino confirmed the matter is now before the courts.
"The school board took a legal challenge. The assumption of duty for the principal is now put on hold until the matter is resolved.
"So, as a ministry, we can't dwell much on it until it is resolved, as it is now in the hands of the lawyers,” Shino said.
Nuugulu, currently the Okahandja Secondary School principal, was set to assume his new role this month.
However, Nuugulu's appointment faced immediate resistance from the Tertius Stears-chaired school board.
The school board argues that Nuugulu lacks the technical and leadership skills required to head the prestigious institution.
Despite Nuugulu emerging as the top candidate in the interviews, the board maintains there is insufficient evidence to support his suitability for the role.
Nuugulu scored 61.2%, placing him first among seven candidates.
Marcia Smith followed him with 60.6% and Rupembe Sindano with 56.8%.
In correspondence with education ministry officials, Stears described Nuugulu’s score as underwhelming, arguing that a successful candidate should have achieved a significantly higher mark.
Stears also expressed concern over the limited role afforded to the school board during the recruitment process.
“In accordance with the Basic Education Act of 2020 (Act No. 3 of 2020), 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," Stears wrote.
"Unfortunately, in this instance, the school board's involvement was limited to a short-notice invitation for the chairperson to attend the interviews strictly as an observer,” he added.
Below-standard score
He argued that the board should have been involved in key aspects such as candidate shortlisting, interview question development and the design and administration of aptitude tests.
“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 as well,” he continued.
“The results indicate a gap in readiness among the current candidates when compared to higher-performing candidates from previous rounds of interviews for this position. For these reasons, the school board cannot support the recommended candidate.”
He noted further that “the low scores and inconsistencies in the ratings have raised concerns about whether the interviewed and recommended candidates possess the necessary skills and experience to effectively lead the institution.”
Demanding role
Stears also emphasised the demanding nature of the principal’s role.
“The role of the school principal demands a leader with demonstrated interpersonal and communication skills, intercultural intelligence and the necessary qualifications for this position.
"The ideal candidate should exhibit strong leadership qualities, strategic thinking and analytical skills, coupled with proven decision-making abilities and a deep understanding of educational legislation, national curricula, and programmes.
“This role also extends beyond routine administrative duties; it requires a visionary leader with the operational expertise to manage the school's complex environment and cultivate a positive culture that supports academic excellence and holistic learner development,” added Stears, who is also the group CEO of Sanlam Namibia.
Standard recruitment process
In response, the education ministry has defended its procedures.
Officials argued that Windhoek High, a school of excellence, is still subject to the standard recruitment framework applied across all government schools.
“We could not craft an advert based on the school itself, sir; otherwise, the day that the advert is released to the public to show their interest is the day the Anti-Corruption Commission, Office the Ombudsman and Office of the Prime Minister (Public Service Commission) will launch an investigation of corrupt practices,” senior ministry official Rebekka Enkono told Stears in one of their correspondences.
“As much as the directorate [of education in Khomas Region] would like to preserve the culture of the school, its status quo, and as someone who is thoroughly acquainted with the administration and operations of the school, we are unable to do that because we do not have any control of which candidate to apply or not to apply.”
Stears has now approached the High Court, seeking a judicial review and the setting aside of Nuugulu’s appointment.
Message to black educators
Reached for comment, Nuugulu questioned the motive behind the resistance to his appointment.
“Even after I was declared the successful candidate, people kept pushing for the process to be redone. What kind of message does that send to other black educators?" he asked.
“I was supposed to start my new job on 6 May, but at the end of last month, I was suddenly served with court papers. The school board applied to the High Court to set aside the interview process. I don’t understand how that was entertained by the ministry [of education],” he remarked.
Education ministry spokesperson Sam Shino confirmed the matter is now before the courts.
"The school board took a legal challenge. The assumption of duty for the principal is now put on hold until the matter is resolved.
"So, as a ministry, we can't dwell much on it until it is resolved, as it is now in the hands of the lawyers,” Shino said.
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