To pay, or not to pay
Although school education in Namibia is free, parental contributions are desperately needed to keep schools ticking over.
With parliamentary proceedings to amend the Education Act of 2001 under way to reflect Namibia's free quality education policy, educators continue to urge parents to help during these difficult economic times.
The Khomas regional education director, Gerard Vries, explained that the introduction of primary and secondary education grants did not “oust the obligations and responsibilities of parents/guardians towards their children/learners that are attending schools”. In early November, education minister Katrina Hanse-Himarwa introduced an amendment bill of the Education Act of 2001, to remove the requirement for compulsory contributions and to provide pre-primary, primary and secondary and special tuition and examinations free of charge.
The minister said the amendment would align the Act to Namibia's constitution. Nevertheless, Vries noted that although universal primary and secondary education was implemented in 2013 and 2016, parents still have a “moral obligation” to assist schools. He said financial contributions remain one of the “necessary contributions that they can and should make”. He confirmed that the downward revision of the budget has increased pressure on government budgets, and schools are not immune to the economic difficulties the country faces. Although schools are doing their best they “will find it difficult to make ends meet on the bases of grants.”
Concerns include transport costs for learners to and from schools, costs of consumables such as cleaning materials, stationery, school uniforms and maintenance, among other needs. Vries said for this reason, parents still play a crucial role “to put the proverbial shoulder to the wheel and pull the wagon through the difficult terrain even with voluntary financial contributions”.
He cautioned that raising funds should strike a “very delicate balance” so that they don't become “a measure of discrimination or exclusion”.
Elaborate discussions and agreements must be reached with parents, and all voluntary contributions in cash or kind transparently documented for auditing purposes, he said.
Parents step up
Andre Struwig, the former Oshikoto Region Deputy Education director, emphasised that parents and guardians should “understand that they are the primary educators with a responsibility to support the upbringing of their children education-wise”.
He said money troubles are often present in households in Namibia “but each contribution will help”.
Struwig warned that an attitude by some parents “to be backed by the constitution will not help their child get quality education and it will lead to lower standards and eventually a poorer country knowledge-wise”.
He said parents could assist with the cost of stationery and address the issue of limited textbooks.
On the other hand, Struwig said government has a clear obligation to help sustain “the ideal” of free and quality education. But with a worldwide worsening economic situation and budget cuts, schools have come under “tremendous pressure to make ends meet. It is just impossible for schools to provide all the resources on their own”.
He said now is the time for “thinking out of the box, regarding funds shortage, by all. Government should allow schools to be creative in their search for solutions”.
He said a solution is critical “or we are to face a crisis”.
A Khomas principal, who declined to be named, said some parents, especially those in a position to help, have “misunderstood the issue of free education and totally refuse to contribute anything”.
Many options to help exist, he said.
Fundraising, advocating for business sponsorships, offering time to help at school events and other options could all help.
Another principal in the Khomas Region, who also spoke anonymously, praised government's “bold step” to introduce free education, but said in his view parents who can, should still contribute to school fees.
“The financial cuts are normal and understandable; however, the ministry should reconsider its position on parental contributions.”
He proposed a primary school contribution of N$500 to N$700 annually, and secondary school fees of between N$700 and N$1 000 a year.
State must pay, not parents
In contrast, Teachers Union of Namibia (TUN) secretary-general Mahongora Kavihuhua criticised the demand on parents, specifically those who face serious financial pressure.
Kavihuhua also accused some schools of using bully tactics to guilt underprivileged parents into contributing voluntary funding, by “embarrassing those who are unable to pay”.
“They say that parents who contribute are serious about their children's education and the others are not. This is completely unfair.”
He added that free education can be achieved, especially for those who are unable to pay, if government re-prioritised funding, stopped corruption and officials improved their work ethic.
“There is enough to cater for free education until university. Government is not bankrupt. It is in a position to pay, if they get their priorities right.”
He said schools that focus on “self-help mechanisms” should instead press the government for more funds and better financial administration.
Kavihuhua emphasised that all social assistance is aimed at benefitting those who cannot otherwise access the services, including health and education. “Those who are now making the most noise about free education, are those who are better off,” he charged.
JANA-MARI SMITH
The Khomas regional education director, Gerard Vries, explained that the introduction of primary and secondary education grants did not “oust the obligations and responsibilities of parents/guardians towards their children/learners that are attending schools”. In early November, education minister Katrina Hanse-Himarwa introduced an amendment bill of the Education Act of 2001, to remove the requirement for compulsory contributions and to provide pre-primary, primary and secondary and special tuition and examinations free of charge.
The minister said the amendment would align the Act to Namibia's constitution. Nevertheless, Vries noted that although universal primary and secondary education was implemented in 2013 and 2016, parents still have a “moral obligation” to assist schools. He said financial contributions remain one of the “necessary contributions that they can and should make”. He confirmed that the downward revision of the budget has increased pressure on government budgets, and schools are not immune to the economic difficulties the country faces. Although schools are doing their best they “will find it difficult to make ends meet on the bases of grants.”
Concerns include transport costs for learners to and from schools, costs of consumables such as cleaning materials, stationery, school uniforms and maintenance, among other needs. Vries said for this reason, parents still play a crucial role “to put the proverbial shoulder to the wheel and pull the wagon through the difficult terrain even with voluntary financial contributions”.
He cautioned that raising funds should strike a “very delicate balance” so that they don't become “a measure of discrimination or exclusion”.
Elaborate discussions and agreements must be reached with parents, and all voluntary contributions in cash or kind transparently documented for auditing purposes, he said.
Parents step up
Andre Struwig, the former Oshikoto Region Deputy Education director, emphasised that parents and guardians should “understand that they are the primary educators with a responsibility to support the upbringing of their children education-wise”.
He said money troubles are often present in households in Namibia “but each contribution will help”.
Struwig warned that an attitude by some parents “to be backed by the constitution will not help their child get quality education and it will lead to lower standards and eventually a poorer country knowledge-wise”.
He said parents could assist with the cost of stationery and address the issue of limited textbooks.
On the other hand, Struwig said government has a clear obligation to help sustain “the ideal” of free and quality education. But with a worldwide worsening economic situation and budget cuts, schools have come under “tremendous pressure to make ends meet. It is just impossible for schools to provide all the resources on their own”.
He said now is the time for “thinking out of the box, regarding funds shortage, by all. Government should allow schools to be creative in their search for solutions”.
He said a solution is critical “or we are to face a crisis”.
A Khomas principal, who declined to be named, said some parents, especially those in a position to help, have “misunderstood the issue of free education and totally refuse to contribute anything”.
Many options to help exist, he said.
Fundraising, advocating for business sponsorships, offering time to help at school events and other options could all help.
Another principal in the Khomas Region, who also spoke anonymously, praised government's “bold step” to introduce free education, but said in his view parents who can, should still contribute to school fees.
“The financial cuts are normal and understandable; however, the ministry should reconsider its position on parental contributions.”
He proposed a primary school contribution of N$500 to N$700 annually, and secondary school fees of between N$700 and N$1 000 a year.
State must pay, not parents
In contrast, Teachers Union of Namibia (TUN) secretary-general Mahongora Kavihuhua criticised the demand on parents, specifically those who face serious financial pressure.
Kavihuhua also accused some schools of using bully tactics to guilt underprivileged parents into contributing voluntary funding, by “embarrassing those who are unable to pay”.
“They say that parents who contribute are serious about their children's education and the others are not. This is completely unfair.”
He added that free education can be achieved, especially for those who are unable to pay, if government re-prioritised funding, stopped corruption and officials improved their work ethic.
“There is enough to cater for free education until university. Government is not bankrupt. It is in a position to pay, if they get their priorities right.”
He said schools that focus on “self-help mechanisms” should instead press the government for more funds and better financial administration.
Kavihuhua emphasised that all social assistance is aimed at benefitting those who cannot otherwise access the services, including health and education. “Those who are now making the most noise about free education, are those who are better off,” he charged.
JANA-MARI SMITH
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