'Positive parenting' needed
The spirit of the new Education Bill focuses on inclusivity and access, while also strengthening accountability for the sake of quality, says basic education minister Katrina Hanse-Himarwa.
She added that while existing policies enforce parental obligations in ensuring children access quality education, the ministry will now also work closely with other stakeholders to develop programmes that focus on “positive parenting”.
“The ministry will work closely to deconstruct the barriers to the fulfilment of parental obligations, such as increasing the safety of learners on their way to and from school and safety in hostels etc.,” she said.
The minister was responding to comments to the bill in the National Assembly last week. Hanse-Himarwa said the new law seeks to guarantee a strong foundation through early childhood development and pre-primary to secondary education for all Namibian children.
She said it encompasses a holistic approach to the health and wellbeing of the country's schoolgoing population, and will support learners with disabilities and promote the meaningful integration of sport, arts and culture, as well as information and communication technology (ICT).
The ministry is currently implementing the National Safe Schools Framework, which guides teachers, learners, parents and the community at large to ensure that schools, other educational facilities and their surroundings are child-friendly, physically safe and protected from outside influences.
Hanse-Himarwa added it is the collective responsibility of parents, communities and even parliamentarians to ensure access to education, including for children who are found roaming the streets.
The new bill states that no child may be denied admission to school because they have no birth certificate.
The minister is also obliged to ensure that basic necessities such as shelter, water, food, light, ventilation, sanitary facilities and access to emergency medical care are provided for in all schools.
Anyone who discriminates against a learner on the grounds of race, ethnic origin, colour, sex, religion, creed and social and economic status will be fined up to a maximum of N$20 000 or two years in prison.
The minister said the new law will give the ministry the power to intervene when a school is underperforming.
“The first aim is to provide internal and external support to the school, in an attempt to improve performance.”
The bill also makes it compulsory for any child with specialised educational needs, who is older than three years, to be in a special needs school if the permanent secretary decides this is in the best interest of the child. In cases where a child is older than six and has not been admitted to any school, he or she must be admitted to a grade appropriate with their ability and age.
JEMIMA BEUKES
She added that while existing policies enforce parental obligations in ensuring children access quality education, the ministry will now also work closely with other stakeholders to develop programmes that focus on “positive parenting”.
“The ministry will work closely to deconstruct the barriers to the fulfilment of parental obligations, such as increasing the safety of learners on their way to and from school and safety in hostels etc.,” she said.
The minister was responding to comments to the bill in the National Assembly last week. Hanse-Himarwa said the new law seeks to guarantee a strong foundation through early childhood development and pre-primary to secondary education for all Namibian children.
She said it encompasses a holistic approach to the health and wellbeing of the country's schoolgoing population, and will support learners with disabilities and promote the meaningful integration of sport, arts and culture, as well as information and communication technology (ICT).
The ministry is currently implementing the National Safe Schools Framework, which guides teachers, learners, parents and the community at large to ensure that schools, other educational facilities and their surroundings are child-friendly, physically safe and protected from outside influences.
Hanse-Himarwa added it is the collective responsibility of parents, communities and even parliamentarians to ensure access to education, including for children who are found roaming the streets.
The new bill states that no child may be denied admission to school because they have no birth certificate.
The minister is also obliged to ensure that basic necessities such as shelter, water, food, light, ventilation, sanitary facilities and access to emergency medical care are provided for in all schools.
Anyone who discriminates against a learner on the grounds of race, ethnic origin, colour, sex, religion, creed and social and economic status will be fined up to a maximum of N$20 000 or two years in prison.
The minister said the new law will give the ministry the power to intervene when a school is underperforming.
“The first aim is to provide internal and external support to the school, in an attempt to improve performance.”
The bill also makes it compulsory for any child with specialised educational needs, who is older than three years, to be in a special needs school if the permanent secretary decides this is in the best interest of the child. In cases where a child is older than six and has not been admitted to any school, he or she must be admitted to a grade appropriate with their ability and age.
JEMIMA BEUKES
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