Staff Reporter
THE Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture has clarified its stance on public servants engaging in outside remunerative work.
In a statement issued Thursday, the Ministry’s Acting Executive Director, Edda Bohn, said that staff members must declare and obtain written approval for any outside work or business activities to avoid conflicts of interest and ensure public service delivery isn’t compromised.
“Teachers and other public servants aren’t prohibited from engaging in lawful business or income-generating activities outside work hours, but must follow prescribed procedures,” said Bohn, who encouraged staff members already involved in outside work to regularise their activities by submitting applications for approval.
The aim is to promote transparency, prevent conflicts of interest, and safeguard public service delivery.
The Ministry’s clarification follows after a notice issued by the Omusati Directorate of Education caused widespread dissatisfaction and confusion among staff members who were seemingly unaware of the provisions contained in the Public Service Act, 1995 (Act No. 13 of 1995), and its associated regulations governing public servants’ conduct.
“These regulations require that any public servant intending to engage in remunerative work or private business activities outside their official duties must first declare such activities and obtain written approval from the relevant authority. This requirement applies across the entire Public Service and is intended to ensure that private interests do not conflict with official responsibilities, or negatively affect the performance and integrity of public service delivery,” said Bohn.
PICTURED: Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture Acting Executive Director, Edda Bohn. Photo: Contributed
