The Namibia National Students Organisation (Nanso), through their lawyers on Monday morning demanded the suspension of all teachers who have been accused of sexual and gender based violence acts, including impregnating teenage girls pending a disciplinary hearing.
In a letter addressed to the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture, Nanso further asked that the gender based violence unit as well as social workers be deployed to the Jan Möhr Secondary School and all other schools where such allegations were registered.
This comes after the alleged rape of a Grade 11 pupil by a teacher last week Monday.
Nanso said the ministry has taken no action against the teacher but rather reshuffled him.
“The ministry’s constant negligence and futile response to serious allegations made against the teachers are in violation of their innate obligation to parents, learners and the general community in ensuring that the school is a safe environment,” the letter reads.
The students’ association gave the ministry seven days to meet their demands.
“The minister of basic education, arts and culture through its schools as its functionaries have dismally failed to take robust and prompt action to ensure that such teachers are dealt with,” the letter further reads.
The deputy mayor Clemencia Hanases this morning told The Namibian it seems that all the procedures are followed.
“We must just settle down and give the learners space,” Hanses said.
She went on to address the pupils, saying that all learners should feel safe in school and they are assured to access to education without fear.
Sources at the school said pupils are barred from joining the demonstration because they are in their school uniforms.
The school principal Lukas Hashiti said the pupils after the assembly should go back to classes.
When asked about barring learners from joining the demonstration, the education Inspector in Khomas region Milton Ya Otto said: “They had their march on Friday and we supported them. It is a school day.”
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