Landless People’s Movement’s Lifalaza Simataa Discusses Education and Its Impact on Voters

In a recent interview, Lifalaza Simataa delves into the state of education in Namibia and its repercussions on the electorate. Simataa sheds light on the slow pace of school construction, insufficient budget allocations, and the resulting challenges in the education sector.

Simataa emphasizes that between 2021 and 2022, only one new school was built by the state, indicating a lack of prioritization for education development. He points out that a meager 2% of the budget is allocated to the secondary sector, 2% to the primary sector, and close to 0% for pre-primary development.

The dearth of schools and teachers contributes to an alarming teacher-to-learner ratio, hindering effective learning. Simataa notes that these factors lead to high failure rates, as overcrowded classrooms impede individual attention and adequate teaching resources.

Simataa further criticizes aspects of the education system, including the grade 11 system, where students graduate without being accepted by local universities, limiting their prospects for further education.

Connecting these issues to their influence on voters, Simataa highlights the importance of a solid educational foundation for critical analysis. He asserts that voters with a robust educational background are better equipped to scrutinize political claims, policies, and ideologies.

Simataa illustrates how a lack of critical analysis may result in voters being swayed by political rhetoric rather than a thorough understanding of party ideologies and policies. He uses examples of promises such as increased pensions and free education, emphasizing the importance of critically analyzing such proposals to avoid failed implementations.

Simataa concludes by pointing out instances where the government’s decisions lacked stakeholder engagement, leading to failures in policy implementation. He underscores the need for an informed electorate capable of analyzing political decisions beyond surface-level promises.