Hardap education director fired amid tribalism claims

JEMIMA BEUKESThe Hardap Regional Council chaired by Gerson Dausab, who reportedly closed the Rehoboth Teacher Resource Centre (TCR) in November 2021, has fired regional education director Gerhard Ndafenongo amid a severe teacher shortage in the region.Ndafenongo, who believes the hostility between him and the council is tribally driven, said no reasons were shared with him to explain why he is unwelcome in the region.On 11 January, Dausab informed Ndafenongo that the council had resolved at a special meeting held on 13 December 2021 that he must vacate his office within 24 hours.It appears as if the motivation behind the decision was because “Ndafenongo reports directly to Sanet Steenkamp, executive director at the head office”.UnlawfulOn behalf of Ndafenongo, law firm Metcalfe and Beukes Attorneys wrote to Dausab on 17 January 2022 informing him that their client had been appointed by the education ministry and that he had no authority to remove Ndafenongo from his position as director.“Any cases of serious grievances should be communicated to the line ministry and be dealt with in accordance with the provisions and regulations laid down in the Public Service Staff Regulations JI/II which deals with grievances and representations,” the lawyers wroteToo tiredDausab declined to comment yesterday, saying: “I am tired and I am resting. I won’t be able to answer your questions right now.”He later asked for written questions to be sent to him, but had not responded by the time of going to print.No teachersThis stand-off comes at a crucial time when schools opened for the 2022 academic year amid a shortage of teachers.According to the latest supplementary vacancy list more than 20 Hardap schools are without subject teachers, one month after schools started, while some unqualified contract teachers have reportedly been shown the door.“Qualified teachers are very scarce in Hardap Region, [and] there are different reasons. For example, some teachers transferred to other schools, some teachers who were recommended declined the offers, some posts were not submitted by principals in the first round that was in September 2021.“Then there are some schools that requested re-advertisement, some posts didn’t attract qualified teachers or better candidates found, and each case has its own story as motivated by inspectors of education,” said Ndafenongo.The ministry rejected claims that some unqualified teachers were turned away despite the teacher shortage, saying their contracts simply ended.jemima@namibiansun.com

Hardap education director fired amid tribalism claims

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Namibian Sun 2022-07-07

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Hardap education director fired amid tribalism claims

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Namibian Sun 2022-07-07

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