Unemployed teachers engage Nandi-Ndaitwah

WINDHOEK, 26 JUL (NAMPA) - While the plight of over 15 000 unemployed qualified teachers demands urgent attention, not all of them can be absorbed into the public service, President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has said.
Nandi-Ndaitwah made these remarks during a courtesy call at State House on Friday from representatives of qualified unemployed teachers. The meeting followed a discussion between the group and Minister of Education, Sanet Steenkamp on Tuesday.
The ministry’s instructions on Tuesday required each qualified teacher to submit their credentials for verification before any decisions can be made.
The chairperson of the unemployed qualified teachers, Joyce Liswaniso informed the president that over 15 000 education graduates are unemployed.
“Until then, we are expected to just wait. We have suffered enough; many of us are battling depression and severe emotional stress.”
In response, the president emphasised the need for the ministry to complete the verification process to determine the way forward.
“I feel we must complete what was said at the meeting; thereafter, we will know exactly what can be done. Whatever we can do, it will not be possible for every teacher to be employed by the government. It is just not possible, but a good number could be taken, depending on the demand in the industry itself,” Nandi-Ndaitwah stressed.
Liswaniso also raised concerns about the current interview process, alleging that it is marred by nepotism and places candidates under a financial burden.
“It is illogical to leave qualified teachers unemployed while learners suffer and classes are overcrowded. We are not afraid of interviews; however, the current interview system places us under a financial burden. We are expected to travel from one region to another. It is not fair, especially to us who do not have money,” Liswaniso said.
She proposed the abolishment of interviews and suggested introducing morning and afternoon teaching sessions to create more positions, advocating for two teachers per class at junior primary level and one specialist teacher per subject from grades 4 to 12. She also recommended establishing a national teacher database, managed by a committee, to ensure fair, need-based placements and reduce corruption.
“You make good proposals here which the government, through the ministry should look at,” Nandi-Ndaitwah told the group.
(NAMPA)
EB/EK/AS