Windhoek:The Minister of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture, Sanet Steenkamp, has reaffirmed the government's dedication to supporting teachers throughout Namibia. She emphasized the importance of protecting the teaching profession, enhancing teachers' status, and fostering their professional development and wellbeing.

According to Namibia Press Agency, Steenkamp's remarks were made during the commemoration of World Teachers' Day, which took place under the theme 'Standing with Teachers: 60 Years of Protecting the Profession, Advancing Its Status and Shaping Our Futures.'

Steenkamp highlighted that supporting teachers should extend beyond annual recognition, emphasizing the value of their knowledge, voices, professional growth, and dignity. She noted that Namibia has 36,336 teachers educating over 913,000 learners in 2,081 schools across the country's 14 regions.

Teachers in Namibia work in various environments, including urban and rural schools, makeshift and multi-grade classrooms, and also fulfill roles as counselors, mentors, and coaches. The teaching workforce has grown by more than 5,000 teachers since 2019, with over 90% of primary and secondary teachers now qualified to teach.

Despite this progress, Steenkamp acknowledged the challenges faced by the sector, such as shortages of specialized teachers, inadequate housing, electricity, connectivity, large class sizes, and heavy workloads. To address these issues, the ministry's Strategic Plan 2025-2030 aims to prioritize excellence in teaching and learning.

The government plans to invest further in teacher education, continuous professional development, mentorship, and peer-to-peer coaching. There will also be improved support for teachers in scarce-subject areas and rural postings, with enhanced incentives like housing and transport.

Steenkamp also mentioned efforts to establish a regulatory body for the teaching profession to ensure it is protected and respected. By 2030, the goal is for every learner to be taught by a qualified teacher, with teachers' voices playing a crucial role in shaping educational decisions.

She urged teachers to focus on their wellbeing, support each other, and continue their professional development. Additionally, she called on parents, communities, and education partners to respect and support teachers, emphasizing that cooperation is vital for the future of every child.