Education for the rich

MATHIAS HAUFIKU WINDHOEKNamibia’s private schools are to a large extent self-governing on how to operate due to the absence of a regulatory framework in the country. This despite calls for government to consider regulating fees charged by these often-pricey educational institutions.The country’s top private schools charge, on average, N$75 000 annually per learner at secondary school level for Namibians, and well over N$120 000 for international learners.While this is a stark contrast to what public schools charge, government said there is no need to encroach onto the turf of private schools just yet.While on the Namibian Sun’s Evening Review show last week, Edda Bohn, the ministry’s deputy executive director, said private schools must be left to run their own affairs.“It is not feasible to regulate private school fees; they are run by communities and they must also make ends meet. “Remember they must generate funds to pay for their operations. What they charge and how they manage their affairs is up to them,” she said.She added: “I think it is something that can be looked into, but for now we are not there.”They also sufferedWhile thousands of Namibians lost their jobs at the peak of the pandemic, Bohn said private schools also suffered because parents were not in a position to honour their financial commitments.She called on stakeholders to pool resources and utilise the resources at hand to improve the quality of education at both public and private schools.Bohn added that there are some private schools funded by government to supplement their own resources.She further admitted that the country's schools are underfunded, with government currently spending only N$200 per child at primary schools and N$300 for secondary school learners.“This is small fraction of the amount we need per child, but for now, we have to make do with the resources at our disposal,” she said.She also warned schools to refrain from preventing learners to attend class if they do not pay the prescribed fees.Critics have in the past proposed that government enacts fee regulation laws to ensure education equity between public and private schools.Regulating school fees is one of the most significant legal and political challenges policymakers face.The debate finds itself at the crossroads of constitutionally protected liberties accorded to private schools and government’s commitment to ensuring that quality education is accessible and affordable.Private schools have, however, over the years defended the amounts they charged, saying their fees are justified when considering the cost of running and maintaining their operations.Consumer protectionTeachers Union of Namibia secretary-general Mahongora Kavihuha said regulating private school fees will be an uphill battle for government.“The free-market system we have in this country, where prices of services and commodities are at the behest of service providers, will make it difficult [to regulate]. Perhaps we should shift the conversation and talk about the need to introduce adequate consumer protection laws so parents can be protected,” he said.Kavihuha did not mince his words when he accused private schools of charging ‘exorbitant’ school fees.“Some private schools ask huge amounts, but working conditions are ridiculous, they are there just to enslave teachers by paying them peanuts and giving them minimal benefits. Some teachers work on short-term contracts,” he charged.He added: “The poor working environment of teachers compromises the quality of education because they will not be able to perform if their personal circumstances are dire”.“We need proper regulations to make private schools conducive for working, teaching and learning. This can be in the form of introducing a minimum wage for teachers at private schools.”

Education for the rich

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Namibian Sun 2022-05-26

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Education for the rich

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Namibian Sun 2022-05-26

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