EDUCATION CONFLICTS SHARPEN
Growing dissatisfaction with the Namibian education system is reflected in continuous conflicts in schools and other educational institutions. The Namibia National Students' Organisation (NANSO) is leading a campaign against what it terms 'colonial and racist education' and its members are facing increasing victimisation. Opposition to the activities of the South African armed forces in schools is hardening.
There have been numerous cases of unrest in schools in recent years, not all of which have been reported. The proceedings of an inquest held over a year ago into the death of a school boy from the southern town of Uis, which were only made public in July this year, disclosed that a serious confrontation between police and students had taken place at the Uis high school. According to the inquest report, pupils had become riotous and held a demonstration over unspecified grievances in the schoolyard. The police were called in and two policemen opened fire with G 3 sub-machine guns, killing one of the pupils. Eric Isaaks, The inquest court did not arrive at any conclusion to the case, and no further information has been made available (WO 26 7 86)
Earlier this year demonstrations took place at Augustineum Training College in Windhoek and the school was temporarily closed. Student protests also led to the closure of the Academy for Tertiary Education in Windhoek and the Khomasdal Teachers' Training College. (FOCUS 65 pp 1 2)
Discontent arising from specific educational grievances as well as broader political issues appears to be growing at the Academy for Tertiary Education and Augustineum College. After conflicts with the administration over the rights of students to organise and run their own affairs, the Student Representative Council (SRC) at the Academy resigned at the end of August. They accused the administration of refusing to consider a new SRC constitution drawn up by the student body, which would have opened the way for the official recognition of NANSO (WA 22/28 8 86)
At Augustineum, the introduction of new rules in the dining halls led to student protests and the expulsion of 11 pupils. Despite student pleas, the governing School Committee refused to reinstate the 11. The expulsions were later confirmed by the 'cabinet' of the South African installed administration in Windhoek, which has overall responsibility for the Department of National Education. A spokesman for the administration stated that the expelled pupils 'had influence' over other students and had 'urged them to go on strike'. (Nam 22.8.86, 12.9.86)
In August class boycotts took place at the Caprivi Secondary School in Katima Mulilo, resulting in its closure and occupation by the army. Students began the boycott by demand the return of Simon SISAMU, a pupil who was taken away by the bantustan authorities for questioning about his connections with NANSO. Earlier another student associated with NANSO had been given 12 lashes, allegedly for breaking a window. The school reopened after a week, but 57 students were suspended and prevented from attending classes. Most of those suspended were reported to be NANSO members. The closure coincided with the anniversary of a boycott at the school in 1985. (Nam 15/29.8.86)
Interference by the army and police in schools is a continuing source of conflict, particularly in the north of the country where the war is most intense. Students have complained about film shows being shown in schools by the Etango movement, a 'cultural' front for the army. The films encourage students to join the army and put across the views of the South African administration in Namibia. Pupils have also protested at the use made of school registers to recruit or conscript young men into the occupation armed forces. Increasing opposition to the army has been reflected in resistance to the paramilitary cadets programme which operates in some black schools. (Nam 25 7 86, 5.9.86; WO 9.8.86)
