Learning To Listen

A DECADE ago, Prof. Joseph Diescho said that the education system in Namibia is in ‘shambles’.Some MPs were mumbling and disagreeing with his well-researched remark.

Sometime in January this year, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Namibia and the Rector of the Polytechnic of Namibia both said in the print media that something is wrong with the country’s education system. The President, while addressing Accounting Officers lately, said “our leaders in education have criticised the education system, let’s listen to them’.It looks like what Diescho said a decade ago we are only beginning to see today.Now there is talk of a national conference in the offing, to focus on the education system.I think Namibian politicians, especially those in the ruling party, must learn to listen to and analyse what established political analysts like Diescho say when they criticise some domestic issues.The idea of simply brushing off criticism only to later realise it was substantive, is disgraceful.I believe Diescho knows the ins and outs of politics more than the many politicians in our Parliament who are there only due to having been in exile.He is well educated, everybody knows that he is an expert in his field, and deserves to be respected.In Namibia there is a proclivity of choosing to listen only to people who are known in the political circles of the ruling party, but those outside the party sometimes know even better.When the political analyst recently mooted the idea of a Vice President for Namibia at the Polytechnic of Namibia; the former and current Prime Ministers went against that analysis.But who knows what the future holds for Namibia? We might drift towards the idea of a Vice President.My point is basically that, the nation should learn to listen to and tap from the knowledge of the far-sighted.It’s not embarrassing; it is the right thing to do when you can’t do better on your own.NN WindhoekThe President, while addressing Accounting Officers lately, said “our leaders in education have criticised the education system, let’s listen to them’.It looks like what Diescho said a decade ago we are only beginning to see today.Now there is talk of a national conference in the offing, to focus on the education system.I think Namibian politicians, especially those in the ruling party, must learn to listen to and analyse what established political analysts like Diescho say when they criticise some domestic issues.The idea of simply brushing off criticism only to later realise it was substantive, is disgraceful.I believe Diescho knows the ins and outs of politics more than the many politicians in our Parliament who are there only due to having been in exile.He is well educated, everybody knows that he is an expert in his field, and deserves to be respected.In Namibia there is a proclivity of choosing to listen only to people who are known in the political circles of the ruling party, but those outside the party sometimes know even better.When the political analyst recently mooted the idea of a Vice President for Namibia at the Polytechnic of Namibia; the former and current Prime Ministers went against that analysis.But who knows what the future holds for Namibia? We might drift towards the idea of a Vice President.My point is basically that, the nation should learn to listen to and tap from the knowledge of the far-sighted.It’s not embarrassing; it is the right thing to do when you can’t do better on your own.NN Windhoek