‘Stop mocking the Namibian child’
04 February 2019 | Education
Leandrea Louw - Namibians seeing children being taught in a tent, under a tree or in open spaces, should assist these children instead of taking pictures and mocking them on social media, says the minister of education, arts and culture Katrina Hanse-Himarwa.
“Do not think you are mocking the ministry by posting these pictures of children sitting in open spaces on social media. Let us dignify our children instead of mocking them. Provision of education and providing adequate infrastructure for our children is not only the responsibility of government but a collective effort between all stakeholders, including the private sector as well as the parents," remarked the minister at the unveiling and handing over of classrooms built by the Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI) Walvis Bay last week.
The NCCI built four classrooms at Kuisebmond Primary School, two at Narraville Primary School and renovated two laboratories at Kuisebmond Secondary School to the tune of N$1,4 million.
Hanse-Himarwa vowed that the ministry will do away with the platoon system because of the shortage of classrooms. She said that the best time for learning is in the morning, for both the teacher and the learner, She urged responsible parents and the business community to join efforts and provide classrooms so that this can become a reality.
The minister furthermore said that schools are in need of financial contributions made by parents.
“Education has always been free, since independence. In 2012 we did away with the compulsory school development fund which was minimal. Never have I heard about parents who have built a school or a hostel or paid the salaries of teachers. There is no way we can provide education without the moral and financial support from the parents.”
Hanse-Himarwa also reprimanded the teachers, saying their job is not only to teach learners how to read and write.
"Our roles are to mould children holistically, skills wise, to become responsible Namibian citizens."
She urged learners to study hard in order to be successful and be productive citizens.
"Do not look at what you don’t have today. Look at what the future can offer you, and know that it can be brighter than your past. Take care of the school buildings, keep them clean and maintained. Take charge of the security of the buildings and don’t wait on the government. Be creative and think out of the box.”
“Do not think you are mocking the ministry by posting these pictures of children sitting in open spaces on social media. Let us dignify our children instead of mocking them. Provision of education and providing adequate infrastructure for our children is not only the responsibility of government but a collective effort between all stakeholders, including the private sector as well as the parents," remarked the minister at the unveiling and handing over of classrooms built by the Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI) Walvis Bay last week.
The NCCI built four classrooms at Kuisebmond Primary School, two at Narraville Primary School and renovated two laboratories at Kuisebmond Secondary School to the tune of N$1,4 million.
Hanse-Himarwa vowed that the ministry will do away with the platoon system because of the shortage of classrooms. She said that the best time for learning is in the morning, for both the teacher and the learner, She urged responsible parents and the business community to join efforts and provide classrooms so that this can become a reality.
The minister furthermore said that schools are in need of financial contributions made by parents.
“Education has always been free, since independence. In 2012 we did away with the compulsory school development fund which was minimal. Never have I heard about parents who have built a school or a hostel or paid the salaries of teachers. There is no way we can provide education without the moral and financial support from the parents.”
Hanse-Himarwa also reprimanded the teachers, saying their job is not only to teach learners how to read and write.
"Our roles are to mould children holistically, skills wise, to become responsible Namibian citizens."
She urged learners to study hard in order to be successful and be productive citizens.
"Do not look at what you don’t have today. Look at what the future can offer you, and know that it can be brighter than your past. Take care of the school buildings, keep them clean and maintained. Take charge of the security of the buildings and don’t wait on the government. Be creative and think out of the box.”
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