Union mobilises teachers for possible mass action

Namibia may face a national teacher strike if they do not get a “meaningful” salary increase.The secretary-general of the Teachers Union of Namibia, Mahongora Kavihuha, said the union has already started a series of consultative meetings across the country to mobilise teachers to take action and “demand what is due to us”.He was speaking to teachers at Swakopmund last Thursday, following another mass meeting that took place in Windhoek. More meetings in other regions will take place in the coming days.The argument being presented by him was that for the past eight years, teachers (and other public servants) have not received meaningful salary increases, while commodity prices were skyrocketing.“We cannot keep up anymore. We are starving,” he said, adding that change can only be brought about if the teachers stand together.He did refer to past mass strikes that even resulted in closed schools and threatened grade 12 examinations. He said that the union and teachers would go so far if it was what it would take to make their employer meet their demands. He said that those strike resulted in the teachers demands being met.“They have failed to deliver to day, so now we need to act,” said Kavihuha.He said patience is no longer an option.“We have waited long enough. It is time to liberate ourselves,” he said, adding that it was not a crime to demand a better salary.He also stated that an employer that is not able to pay its employees is by law required to open its financial bools to be scrutinised.“The government does have money, but they say they cannot pay us,” he questioned.Teachers at the meeting said they are being over-burdened with over-full classes and fewer resources to teach, having to take on extra hours to catch up on work and ensure the learners pass – this while still having to run a household.They said they cannot keep up with the work, while their salaries stay low. It was not fair, they argued. Others were eager for a strike and asked when this could happen.“Soon,” answered Kavihuha.

Union mobilises teachers for possible mass action

Comments

Namibian Sun 2025-12-19

Please login to leave a comment

Union mobilises teachers for possible mass action

Comments

Namibian Sun 2025-12-19

Please login to leave a comment

Subscription Required to Access Content ×

Login

Subscription Required to Access Content