Ndama East volunteer teachers left jobless

A group of former Ndama East school volunteer teachers in Rundu are up in arms saying they were denied permanent jobs despite years of service, with only two out of 14 securing posts.

The school, recently recognised by the education ministry, advertised vacancies in December last year, with interviews conducted in February.

The affected teachers are now calling on government to intervene, arguing that those who helped grow the school should be prioritised rather than left jobless.

Former principal Ndara Aser says the volunteers played a key role in building the school.

“I served this school for four years. When we started, learner numbers were just over 100, but today they stand at more than 1 600,” he said.

Aser said the learner numbers should translate into 42 teaching posts.

He described the failure to provide jobs to experienced volunteer educators as frustrating.

“In those teaching posts, only two [former volunteers] were successful during the interviews, while the majority were left out, including myself as principal,” he said.

Aser added that the teachers had previously received positive evaluations.

“The ministry told parents that if anyone questions whether we know how to teach, we should go through teaching evaluations, which we did, and most scored 80%,” he said.

‘Unfair’ handling

Aser claimed that volunteers were encouraged to continue teaching even after a 2025 visit by prime minister Elijah Ngurare and education minister Sanet Steenkamp, only to be dismissed later.

“We were told to continue teaching peacefully, but later we were instructed to leave the premises as our services were no longer required with new teachers taking over," he alleged.

Another affected teacher, Kambinda Eugene, said before the school was officially recognised by government, he volunteered for three years teaching social studies.

“I really feel bad. Imagine volunteering for three years and then being told you do not qualify to teach. It is unfair,” he said.

Eugene, who holds an honours degree from the University of Namibia, said many of the former teachers are now stuck without jobs, without clarity on their future.

“We have been working for years, but now we are just sitting at home with no communication on whether we will be considered,” he said.

Process followed

Kavango East education director Christine Shilima defended the recruitment process, saying it strictly followed national policy.

“We did not promise them anything. The recruitment policy must be followed as directed by the minister of education,” she said.

Shilima emphasised that the vacancies were open to all qualified candidates nationwide.

“There was no preference given. The positions were advertised for open competition for anyone who meets the requirements,” she said.

She explained that candidates went through both written and oral interviews, which determined the final selection.

Shilima also clarified that a total of 17 posts were advertised.

“There were five posts, four posts and eight posts, respectively,” she said.

Finding solutions

While maintaining that due process was followed, she acknowledged the concerns raised and said a proposal has been submitted to the executive director in the ministry to address the situation.

“I do not have the power to overrule recruitment policy, only the executive director can,” she explained.

According to Shilima, the proposal seeks to place the affected teachers at other schools.

“If approved, we will absorb them at other schools without competition or advertisement,” she said.