Teacher’s union faults education ministry for not hiring principal

The Teachers Union of Namibia (TUN) is blaming the education ministry for not issuing timely promotion documents to a candidate for the principal post at a Keetmanshoop school.

This is after parents of pupils at the Minna Sachs Primary School earlier this week staged a protest because the candidate with the highest points in the interview was not appointed.

TUN secretary general Mahongora Kavihuha says the ministry failed to provide the necessary documentation to the candidate within the 12-month probation period.

“They are the ones who failed to give the confirmation letter, if it was ever needed,” he says.

Kavihuha also notes that the Public Service Act does not require applicants to produce probation letters before promotions.

“Nowhere in these paragraphs are prospective applicants required to carry about them probation confirmed by or before the date of the advertisement for the post,” says Kavihuha.

However, education arts and culture executive director Sanet Steenkamp says the probationary period must be confirmed before the starting date of the advertisement of a vacant position.

“When a promotional post is advertised, any eligible candidate who wishes to apply for the post may apply provided they prove probation confirmation from the ministry,” she says.

Steenkamp further says the appointed principal was recruited in accordance with public service rules. She asserts that the appointed candidate is the most suitable and is therefore, legally entitled to assume the role of principal of the school.

Steenkamp says the community’s petition to appoint a school principal qualified in Khoekhoegowab is unconstitutional.

The ministry has urged members of the public not to make education political and not to deprive children of a good education.

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