Union takes on government

The controversy around whether teachers were supposed to work on 16 June has taken another twist, with the Teachers Union of Namibia urging its members who weren’t at work last week Thursday to not fill in leave forms.
The union said teachers at several schools who did not report for duty on that day were told to fill in leave applications.
The TUN yesterday launched a scathing attack on the education ministry, saying schools should not be used for “political expedience”.
The remarks were made by TUN vice-president Ndjizuvee Haakuria at a press conference yesterday.
“TUN has received oral reports from members who were asked to complete leave forms for not attending the commemorative activities of schools. We as teachers are under no obligation to obey illegal instructions,” he said.
The education ministry found itself at the centre of controversy when it released a circular saying teachers and learners must report to school on 16 June. The day is commemorated as the Day of the African Child and schools used to take the day off in the past. Social media was ablaze, with many linking the circular to the Affirmative Repositioning (AR) mass protest on 16 June.


The Namibian National Teachers Union (Nantu) and Namibia National Students Union (Nanso) blasted the ministry, urging teachers and learners not to go to school that day.
Education permanent secretary Sanet Steenkamp later insisted that the circular had nothing to do with the planned march, saying education issues should not be politicised.
“TUN will not allow teachers of this country to be used by the powers as sjamboks to whip those into line who are believed to hold views that are diametrically opposed to that of the collective,” the union leader said yesterday.
Haakuria urged teachers to report any intimidation to the union.
He also accused the ministry of having double standards, alleging that an earlier circular banning people from speaking at schools without approval from the ministry was sent out because of one individual with divergent views.
He accused the ministry of not following its own circular by telling schools shortly before 16 June to get speakers to speak at schools in order to commemorate the Day of the Africa Child.

Teachers ignored

TUN at the same briefing raised a number of challenges faced by teachers across the country, and delays in addressing these concerns. Haakuria said the TUN was receiving a lot of complains from teachers across the country, which the union took up with the relevant authorities.
“However, the following trend has been established. Some regional directorates are reluctant to address issues raised by teachers and do not respond to attempts by the union to resolve the issue,” he said.
Haakuria said the office of the permanent secretary showed a similar pattern in terms of responding to labour concerns raised by the union as it took too long to address the concerns.
“The half-muted behaviour of the ministry constitutes unfair labour practices as justice delayed is justice denied. Our members are denied their rights to fair and just administrative justice and they are deprived of their fringe benefits such as housing allowances, due to inaction on the part of bureaucrats in the ministry.”
Also yesterday, Namibia National Teachers Union (Nantu) secretary-general Basilius Haingura said his union had not yet received any complaints from its members about being made to sign leave forms.
Steenkamp could not be reached for comment at the time of going to press last night.

GORDON JOSEPH