Adult-education officers unhappy
A peaceful demonstration was held by dozens of members of the Teachers Union of Namibia (TUN) at the ministry of education yesterday, at which they submitted a petition listing demands including salary grades and curriculum changes.
The petition, addressed to the education ministry, office of the prime minister and regional representatives, demanded non-discriminatory salaries and a review of job-grading practices.
The adult-education officers complained about a 10-month contract for education promoters, demanding that it be extended to 12 months.
They charged that the 10-month contract “has robbed the education promoters of a lot of benefits and has caused uncertainties and is a recipe for slavery.”
The petitioners demanded that current promoter salaries of N$3 800 remain unchanged “and that the situation only be rectified upon the commencement of the new contract in 2019.”
Another demand is the immediate start of negotiations on three-year contracts for education promoters.
Another point on the petition is a demand for an “inclusive curriculum review panel” to be set up without delay.
The petitioners state further that the education ministry should “stop fooling” adult-education officers “with the so-called report to the office of the prime minister”, which contains the findings of an investigation into the adult education programme.
“This report has become rhetoric without any meaning but a shell from them to hide behind. TUN had a meeting with the public service commissioners and it was clear that the ministry is the one which is failing to provide follow-up explanations in order to assist the commission to make a decision,” the petition alleges.
The petitioners also charged that “unlawful deductions” were being made from their pay.
They thanked permanent secretary Sanet Steenkamp for her response to a recent TUN letter.
Steenkamp had stated that education officers were entitled to overtime payment.
Her response also addressed the issue of obtaining qualifications in adult education and details on the appointment of literacy promoters.
TUN secretary-general Mahongora Kavihuha said the union had raised several issues with Steenkamp, including overtime, salary grades, curriculum and the updating of policies.
He said because of the slow progress on these matters made by the Office of the Prime Minister and the education ministry, TUN's members would not attend the annual Literacy Week activities scheduled from today to Wednesday.
“There is no seriousness from the side of the permanent secretary in handling the issues of our members. We are going to demonstrate in order for our demands to be responded to timely,” said Kavihuha.
He added that there are over 600 adult-education practitioners countrywide, of whom 70% are TUN members.
JANA-MARI SMITH
The petition, addressed to the education ministry, office of the prime minister and regional representatives, demanded non-discriminatory salaries and a review of job-grading practices.
The adult-education officers complained about a 10-month contract for education promoters, demanding that it be extended to 12 months.
They charged that the 10-month contract “has robbed the education promoters of a lot of benefits and has caused uncertainties and is a recipe for slavery.”
The petitioners demanded that current promoter salaries of N$3 800 remain unchanged “and that the situation only be rectified upon the commencement of the new contract in 2019.”
Another demand is the immediate start of negotiations on three-year contracts for education promoters.
Another point on the petition is a demand for an “inclusive curriculum review panel” to be set up without delay.
The petitioners state further that the education ministry should “stop fooling” adult-education officers “with the so-called report to the office of the prime minister”, which contains the findings of an investigation into the adult education programme.
“This report has become rhetoric without any meaning but a shell from them to hide behind. TUN had a meeting with the public service commissioners and it was clear that the ministry is the one which is failing to provide follow-up explanations in order to assist the commission to make a decision,” the petition alleges.
The petitioners also charged that “unlawful deductions” were being made from their pay.
They thanked permanent secretary Sanet Steenkamp for her response to a recent TUN letter.
Steenkamp had stated that education officers were entitled to overtime payment.
Her response also addressed the issue of obtaining qualifications in adult education and details on the appointment of literacy promoters.
TUN secretary-general Mahongora Kavihuha said the union had raised several issues with Steenkamp, including overtime, salary grades, curriculum and the updating of policies.
He said because of the slow progress on these matters made by the Office of the Prime Minister and the education ministry, TUN's members would not attend the annual Literacy Week activities scheduled from today to Wednesday.
“There is no seriousness from the side of the permanent secretary in handling the issues of our members. We are going to demonstrate in order for our demands to be responded to timely,” said Kavihuha.
He added that there are over 600 adult-education practitioners countrywide, of whom 70% are TUN members.
JANA-MARI SMITH
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