Teachers want winter holiday
The Teachers Union of Namibia (TUN) has rejected the adjustment of school times in winter, saying it is a recipe for disaster and must be nipped in the bud.
In a statement issued yesterday, TUN secretary-general Mahongora Kavihuha said his office has been inundated with complaints by parents following the education ministry's directive that schools may not start earlier than 07:30 or later than 08:30 in winter.
“By the logic of the minister it means that parents have to deliver their children at school a whole hour or more before 08:00, which means children will languish on the school premises in the cold inhospitable environment before they enter classrooms. You can imagine the mischief children that are totally unattended can get up to,” he said.
The TUN instead suggested that the government revert to the four-term system that was in place before independence.
“The four-term system had its problems but the winter time schooling with its darkness hazards and concomitant cold was averted by the fact that in June, which is the darkest and coldest month, it was school holidays.
“The children could happily hibernate in the warmth of their homes and their parents were saved the agony of getting up early in the cold mornings,” Kavihuha said.
The education ministry's directive followed numerous appeals to schools to adjust their hours following the abolition of the Time Act that made provision for a different time zone in winter.
These appeals appear to have fallen on deaf ears, the ministry says.
In a statement issued on Friday, the ministry's permanent secretary, Sanet Steenkamp, also pointed out that schools with 'platoon systems' – two school sessions per day - should finish teaching no later than 16:30.
“While noting the directives, the ministry observed that some schools in the Khomas Region have not adjusted their times as directed due to circumstances that prevail at these schools. The ministry is equally aware of the fact that some schools in the country face several dynamics and that time changes may not be applied uniformly,” Steenkamp said.
JEMIMA BEUKES
In a statement issued yesterday, TUN secretary-general Mahongora Kavihuha said his office has been inundated with complaints by parents following the education ministry's directive that schools may not start earlier than 07:30 or later than 08:30 in winter.
“By the logic of the minister it means that parents have to deliver their children at school a whole hour or more before 08:00, which means children will languish on the school premises in the cold inhospitable environment before they enter classrooms. You can imagine the mischief children that are totally unattended can get up to,” he said.
The TUN instead suggested that the government revert to the four-term system that was in place before independence.
“The four-term system had its problems but the winter time schooling with its darkness hazards and concomitant cold was averted by the fact that in June, which is the darkest and coldest month, it was school holidays.
“The children could happily hibernate in the warmth of their homes and their parents were saved the agony of getting up early in the cold mornings,” Kavihuha said.
The education ministry's directive followed numerous appeals to schools to adjust their hours following the abolition of the Time Act that made provision for a different time zone in winter.
These appeals appear to have fallen on deaf ears, the ministry says.
In a statement issued on Friday, the ministry's permanent secretary, Sanet Steenkamp, also pointed out that schools with 'platoon systems' – two school sessions per day - should finish teaching no later than 16:30.
“While noting the directives, the ministry observed that some schools in the Khomas Region have not adjusted their times as directed due to circumstances that prevail at these schools. The ministry is equally aware of the fact that some schools in the country face several dynamics and that time changes may not be applied uniformly,” Steenkamp said.
JEMIMA BEUKES
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