An argument in favour of teachers

Tuhafeni Mwandingi writes:I appreciate the generous support offered by this newspaper to our mighty Namibia. I’m further thanking you for permitting me to air my views to Namibia as a nation and to the Government of the Republic of Namibia in particular. I think Namibia should understand that teachers haven’t planned the strike. This is led by the principle of “emergency action during emergency cases”.Why are we failing to understand that no teacher with a normal state of mind, healthy cognitive thinking and accommodating cerebral functionality will ever make any decision to disadvantage a learner? Why Namibia, why?OUR CASEWe are not demanding respect but at least it must be understood that our case is genuine and legitimate. If the need for an increment in teachers’ salaries for the betterment of their lives as complementary to the challenges they face does not carry enough weight, then at least understand that this is not only for their benefit but for the country entirely.It’s saddening to learn that opponents to the teachers’ demands have kids who use school stationery bought by teachers, that there was traumatic cases in their households stabilized by teachers, psychological disorders remedied by teachers, to mention a few examples. Why are we missing the point Namibians?Why are we opposing development of the mighty teaching fraternity with negative energy?We thought it is only the communities who don’t understand a teacher and don’t have respect for us, but we are beginning to be certain why teachers have the image they own today. “Two wrongs doesn’t make a right.” Why are we embarrassing them in the face of the learners they teach?COMPARE THE COSTSWill publishing teachers’ weaknesses improve education? Have we forgotten that "trust" between a learner and a teacher is the first gear in this system? We are initiating mistrust between teachers and learners fellow countrymen. If we achieve it, teaching will not make sense to learners. Is that what we want? Absolutely not!Honourables please! Winning this battle will lead to a chaotic education system, a system led by frustrated, disrespected, unruly and ultimately discouraged teachers born in an anger build-up. May you now predict the probable damage?A bold decision to approve the 8% will support a governable education system with energized, trusted and appreciative teaching staff. Honourables please, do the right thing and realize this industrial action will cost a billion times more than just the demanded 8%.A "trauma" on one visionary learner is worth more than a whopping hundred billion dollars. Now do the math and find the approximate cost for all learners. Is that an unaffordable loss? When a leader is on site, subordinates should not respond with fear. You wouldn’t want to suppress the people and have them confined to your will.DO NOT BELITTLE USI quote, “The fact that you’re employed should be enough for now, since there are others who are still not employed”. This statement does not recognise politicians’ sky-scraping allowances and salary increments over the past years.We could propose the scrapping of most allowances, a reduction in politicians’ salaries, a cut on parliamentary members’ number, auctioning all luxurious GRN vehicles and stopping luxury events as to complement the deteriorating economy but we wouldn’t do that, because we wouldn’t want to give the Cabinet negative energy. They deserve some benefits.We wouldn’t want to disturb agendas geared towards development. Savings shouldn’t start with teachers’ salaries honourables, it should rather start in the Cabinet itself.The enemy is not GRN office bearers but the situation at hand.If the Government really can’t afford a larger increase, then Cabinet during its deliberations on other issues should behave as such. Why wasting money on trips and other non-priority matters?NOT ALL BADWe are not perfect and we know it, but there are good teachers who respect learners’ learning more than their personal time. Teachers who go out of their way for the betterment of the education of the Namibian child, who take on more parental roles they should, who dig deep into their tiny pockets to feed hungry stomachs at schools.Sooner or later they will stick to knock-off time and keep the little they have only for themselves. This will be poison for development.Honourables please, your words are bruising the hearts of teachers and some scars may become permanent.

An argument in favour of teachers

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Republikein 2025-10-31

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An argument in favour of teachers

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Republikein 2025-10-31

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