Strict education code launched

AN Education Code that sets standards for professional service, accountability and responsibility in the teaching profession has been launched.

Basic Education Minister John Mutorwa said the code aims to provide guidelines for teachers to deliver effective teaching and learning as well to set basic professional requirements and minimum standards of professional conduct for teachers. Launching the Code last Thursday, Higher Education Minister Nahas Angula said the document was a milestone in the year’s education calendar.However, he reminded teachers, principals, education directors, inspectors and other education officials that the Code was “promising a lot fine things” which they had to adhere to.Each teacher will receive a copy of the Code as all teachers, including school management, are expected to adhere to it.Angula said if a parent found a teacher not following the Code, they could even take the culprit to court.All relevant stakeholders were involved in the development of the Code, according to Mutorwa.Amongst others, the Code specifies that teachers: * may not become involved in any form of romance or sexual relations with a learner; * must take reasonable steps to ensure and protect the safety of learners in schools and hostels; * must take his or her task as an educator seriously; and * may not undermine the status, authority or confidence of any colleague.Angula said teachers should ensure that failure to turn up for classes or arrive in class without having prepared for lessons was unacceptable.Minister Angula said he believed that the Code would go a long way towards improving Namibia’s education sector.According to the Education Act, on which the Education Code is based, a teacher who contravenes or fails to comply with any provision of the Code, commits misconduct and must be dealt with terms of the Public Service Act.He said teachers and schools played a central role in the human resources development of a country and it was often referred to as “the mother of all professions.””In Namibia’s drive towards the provision of quality education for all, the teachers bear the major responsibility for ensuring that the proper type and quality of education is provided,” said Mutorwa.He said quality education did not only refer to the acquisition of knowledge and skills but also the values and ethics, which were fostered and inculcated at school.”It necessary for teachers not only to be well-trained and knowledgeable about pedagogy and their subjects, but also to be have in an ethical and professional manner,” he added.Launching the Code last Thursday, Higher Education Minister Nahas Angula said the document was a milestone in the year’s education calendar.However, he reminded teachers, principals, education directors, inspectors and other education officials that the Code was “promising a lot fine things” which they had to adhere to.Each teacher will receive a copy of the Code as all teachers, including school management, are expected to adhere to it.Angula said if a parent found a teacher not following the Code, they could even take the culprit to court.All relevant stakeholders were involved in the development of the Code, according to Mutorwa.Amongst others, the Code specifies that teachers: * may not become involved in any form of romance or sexual relations with a learner; * must take reasonable steps to ensure and protect the safety of learners in schools and hostels; * must take his or her task as an educator seriously; and * may not undermine the status, authority or confidence of any colleague.Angula said teachers should ensure that failure to turn up for classes or arrive in class without having prepared for lessons was unacceptable.Minister Angula said he believed that the Code would go a long way towards improving Namibia’s education sector.According to the Education Act, on which the Education Code is based, a teacher who contravenes or fails to comply with any provision of the Code, commits misconduct and must be dealt with terms of the Public Service Act.He said teachers and schools played a central role in the human resources development of a country and it was often referred to as “the mother of all professions.””In Namibia’s drive towards the provision of quality education for all, the teachers bear the major responsibility for ensuring that the proper type and quality of education is provided,” said Mutorwa.He said quality education did not only refer to the acquisition of knowledge and skills but also the values and ethics, which were fostered and inculcated at school.”It necessary for teachers not only to be well-trained and knowledgeable about pedagogy and their subjects, but also to be have in an ethical and professional manner,” he added.