Communities rally for local language education rights
Namibians are increasingly mobilising to protect children's right to mother tongue education.
A major grassroots campaign has been launched in Namibia to raise awareness about the importance of indigenous languages in early education, ahead of the upcoming May-June school registration season.Led by social justice activist Shaun Gariseb and supported by teachers, language experts and traditional leaders, the initiative seeks to sensitise parents on the value of mother tongue instruction at the pre-primary and primary school levels.
The campaign kicked off last weekend with a community meeting at Groot Aub, where parents were encouraged to prioritise enrolling their children in indigenous language programmes.
"There is a widespread misconception that learning in a mother tongue like Khoekhoegowab, Otjiherero or other indigenous languages will hinder children from mastering English later," Gariseb told Network Media Hub (NMH).
"We are here to inform communities that starting education in one's mother tongue strengthens overall academic success, including English proficiency," he added.
Groot Aub debacle
Gariseb noted that according to research, Khoekhoegowab is Namibia's second-most spoken language, used by 11% of the population, following Oshiwambo (49%).
Afrikaans (10%), Otjiherero (8%), Rukwangali (8%) and Silozi (4.71%) also make up significant linguistic groups. Advocates argue that preserving these languages through education is vital to safeguarding Namibia's cultural heritage.
The meetings are not only raising awareness but also highlighting ongoing challenges within schools. At Groot Aub High School, allegations recently surfaced against principal Isak de Groot, who reportedly told students they could not pursue subjects like science or accounting unless they dropped Khoekhoegowab as a language subject in Grade 10.
Similarly, concerns about alleged teacher harassment at Groot Aub Primary School have been raised, with Gariseb cautioning school leadership against intimidating staff.
"Investigations have already started at your school and Auas Primary. Let the investigations proceed. This is about the systematic erasure of our language – it's not personal," Gariseb stated.
Standing up
The movement comes amid broader tensions that recently erupted at Auas Primary School in Katutura, where a petition was handed over to education minister Sanet Steenkamp.
The protest, also led by Gariseb, focused on the removal of a Khoekhoegowab pre-primary class in favour of Oshikwanyama instruction, which protesters argued reflects a larger pattern of indigenous language suppression.
"This is not about one principal or one decision," Gariseb said during the handover. "It is about a systemic agenda of cultural erasure. Teachers have been victimised, sidelined and unemployed because they teach in their native language. This cannot continue."
Steenkamp acknowledged the seriousness of the claims during the handover, promising an independent task force to investigate. "If an injustice was done at this school or another school, it will be corrected," she said, stressing that no language or culture is superior to another in Namibia.