Outrage as govt ropes in Nigerian teachers JEMIMA BEUKES The government has confirmed its intention to fly in a number of Nigerian teachers to replace Namibians during a strike that is likely to start next week.
The Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture on 30 September this year requested regional education directors to indicate whether there was a need for the services of these Nigerian teachers.
Teachers in state schools are demanding an 8% salary increase while the government has offered 5%. This has led to teachers unanimously voting for strike action.
According to the ministry’s permanent secretary, Sanet Steenkamp, the volunteer teachers will be made available as part of the Technical Aid Corps (TAC) agreement signed between Namibia and Nigeria in 2007.
Under this agreement Nigeria assists Namibia with its human resources needs in areas of scarce skills.
Steenkamp also stated that the Namibian government would be responsible for providing and furnishing the accommodation of volunteers and covering their medical expenses.
Currently there are 17 Nigerian volunteer teachers for English, mathematics, biology and physical science in the Hardap, Kunene, Omusati, Otjozondjupa and Kavango East regions.
The deadline for regions to submit their expression of interest is on 30 October 2016. By yesterday, no expression of interest had been received.
The government has been severely criticised over the legality of its decision to recruit “volunteers” to take over the responsibility of striking teachers.
Section 76 (b) of the Labour Act states that an employer may not hire any individual to perform the work of a striking or locked-out employee.
Yvonne Dausab, the chairperson of the Law Reform and Development Commission, yesterday said if the government wanted to work outside the framework of the law then it needed to request permission from the court.
“The way the provision reads, if non-striking workers continue to work that is permissible,” she said.
Ombudsman John Walters yesterday emphasised that the general rule is that the replacement of strikers is only justified in the event of a strike of essential services, or under circumstances of utmost gravity and in situations of acute national crisis.
A court case brought by the government against the teachers will be heard in the High Court. This will determine whether the strike will be averted or go ahead.