Messing up education

Education is one of the most topical issues in our country. It goes without saying that education challenges in Namibia are deep-seated and can inevitably not be addressed in one year. Government has done well to provide access to many children of school-going age. However, the same cannot be said about the quality of education pupils receive in our country. On this score, we have been less successful. It is only through proper education that Namibia would easily mitigate the high levels of inequality simply because it will enable the majority poor to be employed or run their own businesses. We have argued over the years in our editorials that the measure of a nation is in turning education into an asset. We are saying this having observed that many decision-makers and those sitting at the high table have the privilege of sending their children to private schools where they receive the best schooling. The majority black poor children have nowhere near the same educational opportunities as those from privileged backgrounds. And we see these disparities in education significantly narrowing each year. The public education system is in ruins at the moment and this is compounded by the misplaced priorities of our government as far as spending is concerned. The recent announcement by the education ministry that government subsidies to learners at public schools would be cut by 50% from N$500 to N$250 per learner is a sign that there is little premium placed on the quality of education. We are talking about the loss of millions of dollars used to assist poor families, especially with the cost of textbooks. Schools and learners will be left worse off as up to four learners now have to share one textbook. The cutbacks also reverse the gains that were achieved through the implementation of the free primary and secondary education, with former president Hifikepunye Pohamba and the late education minister Abraham Iyambo playing a leading role. It is sad when government ventures into the business of low priorities with almost zero effect on Namibians, and yet does little to keep the dream of the Namibian child alive.