The Namibia National Teachers Union (NANTU) came out guns blazing in defence of their members at a press conference in Walvis Bay on Wednesday.
The press conference was called following public debate regarding the poor 2025 academic results, wherewith teachers’ performance came in the crossfire. “While accountability is important, it is deeply concerning that the current discourse among some education leaders has shifted towards a blame game rather than meaningful collective consultation and problem-solving,” NANTU’s Erongo Region chairperson, Given //Gowaseb said in a press release issued by the Union. He further fumed that teachers’ performance does not exist in isolation but is influenced by several systemic factors that must be addressed before responsibility is unfairly placed on educators who are working under extremely challenging conditions.
Key issues affecting teachers’ performance, according to //Gowaseb, include the teacher-learner ratio, lack of infrastructure and learning resources, shortage of school management (Heads of Departments), Continuous Professional Development (CPD), and respect for school governance structures.
According to him, NANTU and the Ministry of Education have approved teacher-learner ratios for schools. //Gowaseb further remarked that the Union did conduct research on the staffing norms during the 2023/2024 academic year, with the outcome indicating that the Erongo Region had an overflow of learners and a shortage of teachers. “The research equally indicated that schools are overcrowded and are beyond the approved norms,” as per //Gowaseb. He claims that recommendations in this regard made by NANTU to the Ministry of Education were apparently ignored by the said Ministry, playing a contributing role in the low performance of the 2025 academic results.
“Many schools continue to operate without adequate classrooms, desks, chairs, and essential teaching resources. Expecting improved performance without first ensuring proper infrastructure is both unrealistic and unfair,” //Gowaseb stressed. Regarding the apparent lack of heads of departments at schools, he noted that effective instructional leadership cannot take place where management structures are incomplete or overstretched.
On the matter concerning alleged disrespect for school governance structures, he quoted Section 49(2) of the Basic Education Act which states that the governance of a state school is vested in its schoolboard, with powers and functions conferred by the Act, and urged for this legal framework to be respected in both decision-making and implementation processes.
“Reclaiming the status of Region of Excellence will not be achieved through public shaming, threats, or unrealistic demands. It will be achieved through the provision of adequate classrooms, addressing overcrowding, filling management vacancies, investing in professional development, and respecting the professionals who are currently holding the education system together,” //Gowaseb stated.
“Therefore, the Union unequivocally condemns the threats and intimidations made by some leaders against our members (teachers and principals) because of the poor 2025 academic results. NANTU demands respect towards the teachers for the noble task they fulfil in molding a Namibian Child. They teach under difficult circumstances, without adequate support from the Ministry of Education,” he concluded, emphasising that the Union remains steadfast in its mandate to represent and defend its members, to defend its members. He also urged members to report any form of intimidation or threat without delay to the Union structure.
The press release states that the Union is open for constructive engagement with the Ministry of Education and other stakeholders in education in finding solutions to the challenges the education system is faced with.
By Marshallino Beukes
