PSUN wants higher pay for teachers at special schools
ESTER KAMATI
WINDHOEK
The Public Service Union of Namibia (PSUN) has suggested higher salaries for teachers at special schools to match their higher workload.
PSUN secretary-general Ndjizuvee Haakuria made the remark at a teachers’ day celebration hosted at Dagbreek School in Windhoek last week.
Haakuria suggested that the salaries of those teaching special-needs children should be increased by at least N$2 000 a month.
“People sometimes think that teachers at special schools do not have a lot to do.
“Already we have this view that if a child is hearing impaired, there is not much that you can do to bring this child up. You only do a few things to keep them busy and that is it.
“This is not true. You really have a daunting task as teachers at your schools,” he said.
“You still have to cover the same competencies with children sitting in front of you who are challenged. Automatically, it indicates that you have to do more. You have to care more. You have to be more vigilant.”
He said special schools also need a higher funding allocation per child than other schools.
Union matters
Haakuria also expressed dissatisfaction with access to members.
“We need to move into schools as unions. We need an open-door policy from the ministry of education”.
He added that corporate companies are easily granted permission to enter schools and do presentations, while unions are questioned about needing permission from the ministry.
“A trade union is formed by teachers, for the teachers. But it is treated like it is being criminalised.
“I do not see the logic behind unions being regulated so strictly before they can talk to their members.”
He acknowledged that although PSUN does not have bargaining power, they still want to engage their members.
“We are not coming to fight or to create problems. We are coming to assist and resolve the problems that are there.
“When members are more informed about trade unions, you have less friction at work.”
[email protected]
WINDHOEK
The Public Service Union of Namibia (PSUN) has suggested higher salaries for teachers at special schools to match their higher workload.
PSUN secretary-general Ndjizuvee Haakuria made the remark at a teachers’ day celebration hosted at Dagbreek School in Windhoek last week.
Haakuria suggested that the salaries of those teaching special-needs children should be increased by at least N$2 000 a month.
“People sometimes think that teachers at special schools do not have a lot to do.
“Already we have this view that if a child is hearing impaired, there is not much that you can do to bring this child up. You only do a few things to keep them busy and that is it.
“This is not true. You really have a daunting task as teachers at your schools,” he said.
“You still have to cover the same competencies with children sitting in front of you who are challenged. Automatically, it indicates that you have to do more. You have to care more. You have to be more vigilant.”
He said special schools also need a higher funding allocation per child than other schools.
Union matters
Haakuria also expressed dissatisfaction with access to members.
“We need to move into schools as unions. We need an open-door policy from the ministry of education”.
He added that corporate companies are easily granted permission to enter schools and do presentations, while unions are questioned about needing permission from the ministry.
“A trade union is formed by teachers, for the teachers. But it is treated like it is being criminalised.
“I do not see the logic behind unions being regulated so strictly before they can talk to their members.”
He acknowledged that although PSUN does not have bargaining power, they still want to engage their members.
“We are not coming to fight or to create problems. We are coming to assist and resolve the problems that are there.
“When members are more informed about trade unions, you have less friction at work.”
[email protected]
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