Windhoek: Unemployed qualified teachers have voiced their dissatisfaction with the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture's response to their demands for changes in the teacher recruitment process. The group, led by national chairperson Joyce Liswaniso, is advocating for the removal of interviews and the introduction of mass recruitment to address unemployment among qualified teachers.

According to Namibia Press Agency, the group had a meeting with President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah on 25 July 2025 to present their suggestions. The president acknowledged the suggestions and urged the ministry to address the issue. However, in a letter dated 12 August 2025, Minister Sanet Steenkamp declared that mass recruitment and the elimination of interviews are impractical measures. She referenced a petition titled 'Petition for urgent reform in teacher recruitment process,' submitted by the group on 08 July 2025.

Steenkamp explained that the Office of the Prime Minister sought legal advice from the Office of the Attorney-General regarding the group's demands following a strike on 03 June 2025. The Attorney-General's advice, dated 18 February 2021, indicated that the proposed changes were inconsistent with the Namibian Constitution. Despite this, Liswaniso stated in an interview with Nampa that they will persist in advocating for their demands until they are met. She emphasized that the ministry's response failed to address their concerns and accused the interview process of being susceptible to corruption, which the ministry is currently investigating.

Another member of the group, Ndahambelela Kamati, expressed disappointment with the minister's response, stating that it did not meet their expectations and left them feeling disheartened. With more than 15,000 unemployed teachers in the group, they are planning another protest in the upcoming weeks to continue pressing for their demands.