Ministry of Education responds

THE Ministry of Education has taken time out to respond to a number of the complaints about the Education Sector, which have been SMSed to The Namibian: * LEARNERS at Martin Ndumba hostel (eastern Kavango) have been without water for almost a month and a half.

Worse yet, they have to make use of the dangerous Kavango River for bathing and washing their clothes. Is the line ministry aware of this? Or should one learner first be attacked by a crocodile or drown before the water problem is solved? Luckily for the learners when nature calls there are thick bushes to rely on.This is all because of a water pump which pumps water directly from the river, which is only a few metres from the said hostel, that is broken and had been reported to the Ministry of Works already.- As mentioned in this SMS the matter has been reported to the Ministry of Works, Transport and Communications.The school jointly with its Inspector is waiting upon officials from the mentioned Ministry to repair the water pump which is responsible for providing water to the school.In the meantime the school acquires its water from a nearby school via a Government car that collects the water.Learners are urged to remain calm until the situation is resolved.* THERE is a certain teacher at Khomas High School who openly seduces schoolgirls and the principal is fully aware of what’s going on, but no action is taken.What is our education system coming to? – Learners are supposed to report any type abuse (physical, emotional or sexual) to the Regional Director’s office, if their school principal fails to take action on the matter that has been reported to his/her office.Recently a teacher at the said school has been suspended and is being charged by the Ministry over a similar case.* I WOULD like to bring to your attention, Nantu and Ministry of Labour and other stakeholders to the [alleged] inhuman treatment of teachers at private schools.These schools are subsidised by the Government to pay teachers’ salaries, but fail to provide benefits such as transport and housing allowance, even pension and bonus to their employees.We cannot talk about compassionate or annual leave or sick leave.No matter the length of your employment you do not accrue leave days – why? Long-serving teachers are leaving without pension.- Teachers at private schools being subsidised by Government are not entitled to get other benefits from the government, as they are not employed in terms of the Public Service Act.However each private school determines the salary and other remunerations they offer their staff, including teachers.Teachers are thus urged to fully understand the employment conditions, benefits and all remunerations they are entitled to before signing their employment contract.* MINISTER of Education, why are technical subjects no longer taught at formal schools? These subjects are important to us, as they can assist us to follow careers in technical fields.- Vocational subjects at secondary school level are no longer offered due to a lack of interest in these subjects accompanied with the lack of equipment and a shortage of trained teachers who are able to teach technical subjects at the secondary school level.However the Ministry will still offer these subjects at Vocational Training Centres and other institutions such as Community Skills Development Centres (COSDEC), which are in a better position to provide this type of education.* THE principal of Gammams Primary can you please tell us why kids have to contribute so much for the school bazaar.You asked parents to send our kids to school with something every week starting February until July.Where do you think will we get the money? Sometimes our kids go to school without bread just because we don’t have money to buy it.- Most schools usually use school bazaars as a fundraising event.Schools are supposed to be considerate to parents that cannot afford to pay for such activities by making sure that parents are not financially burdened by these activities.In the mean the schools should make parents aware that it is not compulsory for learners to part take in those activities.Yours in Education Public Relations OfficeIs the line ministry aware of this? Or should one learner first be attacked by a crocodile or drown before the water problem is solved? Luckily for the learners when nature calls there are thick bushes to rely on.This is all because of a water pump which pumps water directly from the river, which is only a few metres from the said hostel, that is broken and had been reported to the Ministry of Works already.- As mentioned in this SMS the matter has been reported to the Ministry of Works, Transport and Communications.The school jointly with its Inspector is waiting upon officials from the mentioned Ministry to repair the water pump which is responsible for providing water to the school.In the meantime the school acquires its water from a nearby school via a Government car that collects the water.Learners are urged to remain calm until the situation is resolved.* THERE is a certain teacher at Khomas High School who openly seduces schoolgirls and the principal is fully aware of what’s going on, but no action is taken.What is our education system coming to? – Learners are supposed to report any type abuse (physical, emotional or sexual) to the Regional Director’s office, if their school principal fails to take action on the matter that has been reported to his/her office.Recently a teacher at the said school has been suspended and is being charged by the Ministry over a similar case.* I WOULD like to bring to your attention, Nantu and Ministry of Labour and other stakeholders to the [alleged] inhuman treatment of teachers at private schools.These schools are subsidised by the Government to pay teachers’ salaries, but fail to provide benefits such as transport and housing allowance, even pension and bonus to their employees.We cannot talk about compassionate or annual leave or sick leave.No matter the length of your employment you do not accrue leave days – why? Long-serving teachers are leaving without pension.- Teachers at private schools being subsidised by Government are not entitled to get other benefits from the government, as they are not employed in terms of the Public Service Act.However each private school determines the salary and other remunerations they offer their staff, including teachers.Teachers are thus urged to fully understand the employment conditions, benefits and all remunerations they are entitled to before signing their employment contract.* MINISTER of Education, why are technical subjects no longer taught at formal schools? These subjects are important to us, as they can assist us to follow careers in technical fields. – Vocational subjects at secondary school level are no longer offered due to a lack of interest in these subjects accompanied with the lack of equipment and a shortage of trained teachers who are able to teach technical subjects at the secondary school level.However the Ministry will still offer these subjects at Vocational Training Centres and other institutions such as Community Skills Development Centres (COSDEC), which are in a better position to provide this type of education. * THE principal of Gammams Primary can you please tell us why kids have to contribute so much for the school bazaar.You asked parents to send our kids to school with something every week starting February until July.Where do you think will we get the money? Sometimes our kids go to school without bread just because we don’t have money to buy it.- Most schools usually use school bazaars as a fundraising event.Schools are supposed to be considerate to parents that cannot afford to pay for such activities by making sure that parents are not financially burdened by these activities.In the mean the schools should make parents aware that it is not compulsory for learners to part take in those activities.Yours in Education Public Relations Office