Namibia's Teachers Union Excludes Principals from Leadership Roles, Sparking Controversy

The Namibia National Teachers Union's (Nantu) National Teachers' Council (NTC) has made a contentious decision to exclude school principals from holding leadership positions within the union. The decision, enacted on April 29, 2024, has drawn significant criticism from various quarters.

The NTC cited Nantu's constitution and the Basic Education Act (BEA) of 2020 as the legal frameworks for their decision. They also relied on a legal opinion from two prominent law firms to support their stance. However, this legal opinion is not legally binding, and the NTC had the discretion to either consider or ignore it.

Critics argue that the decision is unconstitutional and contravenes the union's primary objectives of advocating for teachers' rights. They point out that the decision was made unilaterally without a wide-ranging regional consultative meeting with all Nantu members. This lack of consultation has raised concerns about the transparency and inclusivity of the decision-making process.

Clause 7.2.4 of Nantu's constitution specifies that only full members in good standing, such as practising teachers, technicians, librarians, lecturers, advisory services, education officers, inspectors of schools, and instructors who are not in managerial positions, are eligible for leadership positions. This clause was a key factor in the NTC's decision to exclude school principals.

Why this matters:

This decision has broader implications for the representation and advocacy of teachers' rights in Namibia. If left unchallenged, it could lead to a lack of diverse perspectives in union leadership and undermine the union's ability to effectively advocate for its members.

Additionally, Section 47(7)(k) of the BEA was cited as a legal framework supporting the decision. However, critics argue that the NTC's reliance on these legal frameworks does not justify the exclusion of principals without broader member consultation. The Basic Education Act is a crucial piece of legislation in Namibia's education sector.

Naftal Shigwedha, a vocal critic of the decision, emphasized that a legal opinion is not legally binding. He stated, *"A legal opinion is not legally binding. Similarly, the legal opinion given by the law firms rightly states that the NTC has the discretion to consider taking the legal opinion provided or to leave it altogether. "*

The controversy surrounding this decision highlights the tension between union leadership and its members. While the NTC insists that their actions are in line with the union's constitution and the BEA, the lack of member consultation has led to accusations of undemocratic practices.

In conclusion, the NTC's decision to exclude school principals from leadership roles within Nantu has sparked significant controversy. Critics argue that the decision is unconstitutional and undermines the union's primary objectives of advocating for teachers' rights. The lack of a wide-ranging consultative process has further fueled the debate, raising questions about transparency and inclusivity within the union.

Key Takeaways

• Namibia National Teachers Union (Nantu) excludes school principals from leadership positions.
• Decision based on Nantu's constitution and Basic Education Act (BEA) of 2020.
• Critics argue decision is unconstitutional and lacks transparency.
• Lack of member consultation raises concerns about union's inclusivity.
• Decision may undermine union's ability to advocate for teachers' rights.