Rundu – In the Kavango East Region, hundreds of unemployed teachers marched through Rundu, voicing their grievances over their prolonged unemployment. The demonstration, which started at Dr Romanus Kampungu Sports Stadium and proceeded to the Directorate of Education offices, aimed to draw attention to their plight. David Nekaro, National Chairperson of the Unemployed Teachers Committee, warned that they would camp on the directorate’s premises if their demands were not met within seven working days. Despite discussions with the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture at regional and national levels, the teachers have not received satisfactory responses.
According to Namibian Press Agency (NAMPA), the number of unemployed teachers in Namibia has escalated to 8,251 from 2017 to 2023, with more expected upon the graduation of current final-year students. He criticized the interview process for teacher recruitment, alleging it was rife with nepotism and bribery. Nekaro highlighted the severe understaffing in schools, with teachers often handling excessive numbers of students. The unemployed teachers demand nationwide recruitment and the construction of more schools during the 2024/25 financial year to address these issues.