Zambezi teachers prefer ‘lucky draw’ over tests for posts

Hundreds of desperate unemployed teachers in the Zambezi region say they prefer a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ draw to secure employment over writing tests.

This is because they believe the tests are rigged.

The Namibian spoke to a group of unemployed graduates at Mavuluma Combined School on Thursday, where more than 300 teachers were invited to write a test, competing for one vacancy at junior primary level.

Candidate Mibert Makatazo said the written tests and oral interviews are marred by corruption and favouritism.

He said candidates often buy the tests or pay individuals to secure employment.

Some candidates are preferred over others, he claimed.

“These days, being called for tests or interviews is a mere formality, because these posts are already allocated to someone who paid someone in human resources to get the job.

“However, we believe that with the yes-or-no draws, these issues will be a thing of the past . . . If a person happens to draw a ‘no’, they will accept, and if ‘yes’, it’s purely based on their luck,” Makatazo said.

Unemployed teacher Davis Sikota said he has been writing tests for posts for over three years, but keeps failing.

“At this point, I don’t think they are marking all the papers, maybe just the first 10 or so. I have also observed that mostly women are getting these posts.

“The other issue is also that teachers who graduated recently are appointed, while those of us who graduated about five to 10 years ago are not even considered. Therefore, the draws are the only way things will be done fairly,” he said.

Nasilele Sisamu said she has wasted a lot of money on transport to test venues.

“It’s a costly process, but we do it, because we are desperate to secure jobs,” she said.

Executive director of education, arts and culture Sanet Steenkamp yesterday said the ministry is aware of unemployed teachers’ complaints and has tasked a committee to investigate them.

“We have received these complaints through the Anti-Corruption Commission. We are sending a team there, which I have expanded to have a team from the other ministries as well, which will be more independent and objective in assisting our teams to determine the depth of the complaints.

“The complaints received were around the human resources office, whereby favouritism, nepotism and corruption are allegedly being experienced.

“The teams have elaborate references they will investigate and will be in the region next week.

“While we wait for the outcome of that investigation, we will also have what we call human resource audits, whereby we will look into the recruitment process,” she said.

Steenkamp said the ministry follows the public service staff rules on interviews set out by the Office of the Prime Minister. “Therefore, if you have a huge number, you must have a written test to eliminate some people. These tests are also evidence-based in case a complaint is raised as to the fairness of the test,” she said.

Steenkamp said the ministry is unfortunately unable to absorb all unemployed graduates into the system. Some 723 teaching positions were, however, made available across all regions recently.

Regional education director Joseph Kawana did not respond to questions sent to him yesterday.