Dismissed teacher a repeat offender - Steenkamp

Dismissed teacher Petrus Ndeulita is a repeat offender, with 14 corporal punishment cases to his name. This according to education ministry executive director Sanet Steenkamp, who was reacting to an ultimatum from a concerned group of teachers who said the ministry has until the end of August to reinstate Ndeulita, or they will disrupt the upcoming elections slated for November.Ndeulita was dismissed last month from Hashiyana Primary School in Ongwediva due to an incident which happened three years ago when he allegedly punished a grade seven learner by making him hold a chair over his head for over an hour. Learners and teachers at the school, as well as teachers from other schools, held demonstrations demanding the reversal of Ndeulita's "unfair dismissal”. Providing clarification regarding the regulations on corporal punishment and the disciplinary procedures followed in the matter, Steenkamp said Ndeulita was appointed as a teacher on 1 January 2018 and took an oath against the use of corporal punishment on 2 April 2019, in accordance with the Education Act. Any staff member accused of administering corporal punishment may face misconduct charges, provided there is sufficient prima facie evidence following a comprehensive investigation, she said.Not the first timeIn Ndeulita’s case, a disciplinary committee made recommendations based on its findings, which were then presented to the Public Service Commission for approval by the prime minister, Steenkamp explained. “This process is based on checks and balances. Ndeulita lodged an appeal to the prime minister through the commission, however, his appeal was not successful. The ministry subsequently communicated the outcome of the considered decision of the prime minister to Ndeulita on 25 October 2021,” she said. Steenkamp noted that each case is assessed based on its individual merits and factors are considered in determining the appropriate disciplinary action. "Ndeulita’s personal record revealed a history of 14 similar reported cases, indicating a habitual pattern of behaviour. This is not the first time [he] has indulged in such prohibited actions," she said. The case was addressed carefully and procedurally, she added.However, should Ndeulita be of the view that he was unfairly dismissed, he should feel free to seek further redress through any competent court of law, she urged.Speaking to Namibian Sun yesterday during a telephonic interview, Steenkamp could not give a breakdown of the 14 cases and said the matter was handled by the school. She added that further information regarding the dismissed teacher’s personal record cannot be made public.– tuyeimo@namibiansun.com

Dismissed teacher a repeat offender - Steenkamp

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-04

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Dismissed teacher a repeat offender - Steenkamp

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-04

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