Africa-Press – Namibia. Through a teacher, the son of a farmworker becomes a president of a country, and the daughter of a domestic worker a medical doctor. As a former teacher, I am aware of the vital role of teachers in building communities.”
These were the words of president Hage Geingob yesterday as Namibia joined the rest of the world to celebrate World Teacher’s Day, which is commemorated on 5 October annually.
This year the occasion’s theme was: ‘The Transformation of Education Begins with Teachers’.
Minister of education, arts and culture Anna Nghipondoka said teachers are at the centre of basic education delivery for pupils across the country, playing an instrumental role in transforming education.
“That is why we say, being a teacher is a calling. Therefore, I wish to declare today, that our new social contract should be grounded in human rights and based on principles of non-discrimination, social justice, respect for life, human dignity, cultural diversity and an ethic of care,” Nghipondoka said.
She said teachers are the engines at the heart of the education system, without whom it is impossible to provide inclusive and equitable quality education to every pupil.
“I wish to make a clarion call to all the teachers to be ready to transform learners meaningfully through education by equipping them with foundational skills, stimulating their curiosity and building their ability to learn,” she said.
Nghipondoka said teachers must encourage pupils to continue learning throughout their lives by instilling a sense of belonging and responsibility for one another and others.
“I implore all teachers and education personnel to mutually support each other in order to innovate and transform teaching and the teaching profession from within,” she said.
She said all countries strive to have an empowered education workforce that is professionalised, trained, motivated, and supported throughout.
Education executive director Sanet Steenkamp said the day reminds people that teachers are primary change agents.
“Teachers mould our learners and they work with our learners and we do recognise them as a ministry. They work as facilitators of the process of knowledge and skills acquisition,” Steenkamp said.
Teachers must take care of themselves because they are key figures in the educational and social transformation, she said.
“We also know that the wellness of our teachers is of paramount importance, and we call upon our teachers not just to be healthy, but happy too, and continue to produce the best that they can with our learners.”
Steenkamp said that the ministry wishes to extend its heartfelt appreciation to teachers. Ohangwena education director Isack Hamatwi said the day means a lot to teachers.
“It’s a recognition of the teaching profession. Teachers have an opportunity to come together and participate in different activities just to relieve themselves from the stress of being in class all the time,” Hamatwi said.
Mary Garoës, a primary teacher at Life Changing Christian Church Academy, a private school in Windhoek, said she has been a teacher for five years and described the profession as a wonderful thing.
“Teaching is a great thing, but at times it can be stressful. Especially when you see a child that has great potential but only uses 10% of their potential. Finding the 90% can be a battle,” Garoës said.
Despite the challenges, Garoës said she enjoys her work.
“Seeing a learner that I taught successfully brings me joy. As a teacher, you bring out the best in a child, not only educationally, but in all aspects of their lives,” she said.
Another teacher, Martin Shikongo, from Okongo in the Ohangwena region, said he has been in the teaching profession for some time and he enjoys it.
“I have realised that we are the pillars and the foundation of this country. We teach children to become something in the country,” Shikongo said.
Although they lack teaching resources such as the internet, this does not stop them from delivering a service to pupils, he said.
“We must be hard workers and committed to our work to educate the Namibian child.”
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