Striking Teachers back to school

Striking Namibian teachers have reported back to classrooms on yesterday (Monday) after the government, Namibia Public Workers Union (Napwu) and the Namibia National Teachers Union (Nantu) reached an amicable solution on Saturday, 15 October about the salary increment dispute between the parties. The agreement was signed at the State House in Windhoek.

Last week the Minister of Education Mrs. Katrina Hanse-Himarwa assured parents and learners that the government will try to find the best possible solution over the weekend and that all classes would resume on Monday, 17 October and the government surely kept its promise. Teachers were offered a 9% salary increment for 2017 by the government. Salary adjustments for the 2016/2017 financial year will remain at 10% for Grades 13 to 15, 5% for grades 5 to 12 and 4% for grades 4 to 1A, which according to the education ministry will be backdated to April 2016. During a media briefing, Himarwa announced that the examination of the subjects which was postponed on 13 and 14 October have been rescheduled as follows: Grade 12 Mathematics Higher Level Paper 1 and 2 and Mathematics Ordinary Level Paper 1, 2, 3 and 4 will be written on 31 October, Entrepreneurship Ordinary Level was rescheduled to 1 November. Grade 10 examination were rescheduled as follows, Integrated Performing Arts Paper 1 and Needlework and Clothing will be written on 31 October, Life Science will be written on 1 November. It is also alleged that the 9% salary increment for the financial year 2017/18 also applies to all civil servants represented by Napwu.