Enough is enough, threatens Nantu
Elizabeth JosephWINDHOEK
The Namibia National Teachers Union (Nantu) has threatened to pull teachers from overcrowded classrooms as schools start nationwide today.Earlier this week, the union launched ‘Operation Nantu on Staffing Norms’, which aims to see educators teaching the prescribed number of learners per classroom. “No teacher will accept a class beyond the prescribed norms. We mean business this year. Our teachers will be informed not to be forced by any authority to teach beyond the norm...” the union’s acting president, Daniel Humbu, said.
According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation’s (Unesco) 15th school report last year, the official learner-to-teacher ratio in the country is is 27/1.
Nantu has warned government that inspections of classrooms will be done, and said it will report any threats.
“It is high time government and the ministry of education start respecting teachers and note that we are not slaves. Enough is enough!” fumed Humbu.
Do more
The union further shed light on recent accusations by education minister Anna Nghipondoka, who partially placed blame on teachers for the failure rate of grade 11 and 12 learners, and said teachers are expected to act in several roles for schools to succeed. During the announcement of the Namibia Senior Secondary Certificate ordinary level (NSSCO) results, Nghipondoka also questioned teachers’ involvement in politics.
“We demand [that] principals be exempted from teaching to manage and take effective control of their schools. This will ensure proper monitoring and evaluation of teaching and learning,” Humbu said.
According to Nantu, instead of blaming teachers, government should do more to support them.
It revealed that some of its members visited 356 schools in 2020 and discovered that most were grossly under-equipped. “What was shocking is some regional directors/inspectors had not even had a single visit to the schools within their regions.”
The union is further demanding that the education minister publicly apologise to teachers for her accusations.
The Namibia National Teachers Union (Nantu) has threatened to pull teachers from overcrowded classrooms as schools start nationwide today.Earlier this week, the union launched ‘Operation Nantu on Staffing Norms’, which aims to see educators teaching the prescribed number of learners per classroom. “No teacher will accept a class beyond the prescribed norms. We mean business this year. Our teachers will be informed not to be forced by any authority to teach beyond the norm...” the union’s acting president, Daniel Humbu, said.
According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation’s (Unesco) 15th school report last year, the official learner-to-teacher ratio in the country is is 27/1.
Nantu has warned government that inspections of classrooms will be done, and said it will report any threats.
“It is high time government and the ministry of education start respecting teachers and note that we are not slaves. Enough is enough!” fumed Humbu.
Do more
The union further shed light on recent accusations by education minister Anna Nghipondoka, who partially placed blame on teachers for the failure rate of grade 11 and 12 learners, and said teachers are expected to act in several roles for schools to succeed. During the announcement of the Namibia Senior Secondary Certificate ordinary level (NSSCO) results, Nghipondoka also questioned teachers’ involvement in politics.
“We demand [that] principals be exempted from teaching to manage and take effective control of their schools. This will ensure proper monitoring and evaluation of teaching and learning,” Humbu said.
According to Nantu, instead of blaming teachers, government should do more to support them.
It revealed that some of its members visited 356 schools in 2020 and discovered that most were grossly under-equipped. “What was shocking is some regional directors/inspectors had not even had a single visit to the schools within their regions.”
The union is further demanding that the education minister publicly apologise to teachers for her accusations.
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