Staff Reporter
THE National Executive Committee of the Namibia National Students’ Organization (NANSO) has raised alarm over what it describes as a growing crisis of teacher safety and declining discipline in Namibian schools, warning that educators are increasingly facing harassment, substance abuse among learners and a lack of institutional support.
In an urgent memorandum, the student body said the country’s education system is facing a “silent emergency”, where classrooms are shifting from environments of learning to spaces marked by fear, conflict and weakened authority for teachers.
NANSO said many teachers are experiencing humiliation and intimidation from learners, resulting in educators focusing on “teaching for survival” rather than delivering quality education. The organisation also criticised what it described as public “media lynching”, where teachers are judged on social media or in news reports without a full understanding of classroom realities.
The memorandum further highlighted a growing problem of substance abuse in schools, particularly vaping and cigarette smoking on school premises, which it said undermines the authority of teachers and contributes to defiant behaviour among learners.
Another concern raised was what NANSO described as a “parental defence paradox”, where some parents publicly confront or harass teachers when disciplinary action is taken against their children. According to the organisation, this behaviour weakens school discipline and ultimately harms learners’ long-term development.
NANSO also warned that the ongoing tensions are placing a heavy mental and emotional burden on educators, many of whom spend increasing amounts of time managing conflict rather than focusing on teaching and mentoring learners.
The organisation called for urgent intervention, including a national dialogue on the breakdown in teacher-learner relationships, stronger condemnation of harassment against teachers, and clearer legal protections that allow educators to enforce discipline without fear of arrest or intimidation.
NANSO further urged the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture to implement policies that restore discipline in schools while safeguarding the dignity and authority of teachers.
According to the organisation, protecting teachers is essential to safeguarding Namibia’s education system, warning that without decisive action the country risks creating a generation that lacks respect for authority and boundaries.
Picture for illustrative purposes only. Photo: File
