Minister of Education, Arts and Culture Anna Nghipondoka on Monday said the Covid-19 pandemic has exacerbated the pre-existing education challenges, which makes the reliance on digital technology for learning, a pressing need.
Nghipondoka made the remarks during the commencement of the 2022 school year and the International Day of Education here, celebrated under the theme ‘Changing course, transforming education.’
She said, for the country to overcome these challenges, it requires an urgent re-balancing and collaboration between all stakeholders which should involve political and societal will to strengthen the public function of education as a shared endeavour.
‘As we start the new academic year with unprecedented challenges in our midst, I wish to implore upon us all as education practitioners, to re-dedicate ourselves and devise well informed and workable strategies on how well we are going to execute our respective designated duties. Let us continue where we left off last year with more renewed energy and perseverance in order to accord our learners quality education that allows them opportunities to prosper in life,’ said Nghipondoka.
She encouraged teachers and the public at large to start the new school year with a great sense of hope that their united efforts will lead to better education outcomes regardless of the circumstances as no child should be left behind because of their family’s economic circumstances.
Every child matters and this would require thinking out of the box to be efficient and ensure that all efforts and resources are optimally utilised for the purpose of pulling learners out of poverty, she added.
‘Our mantra has always been that every child can learn, every child must learn, and that should be at the centre of what we do. Our strength through this pandemic has been the resilience of our students, hard work of our staff members, collaboration with parents, and commitment of our government to step up our response every step of the way to ensure that our schools remain safe in January 2022 and beyond. We will do whatever it takes to ensure that our learners continue to learn’ stated Nghipondoka.
While speaking at the same occasion, Khomas region governor Laura Mcleod-Katjirua said everyone must collectively honour their social contract for education by taking ownership of the course of education to explore renewed means and reliable options to address common pressing challenges in education.
Source: The Namibian Press Agency
