Namibia postpones exams due to teachers' strike

Namibia has postponed all Grade 10 and 12 examinations scheduled for Thursday and Friday until further notice after the labor court ruled that teachers should strike.

Government had sought the labor's court intervention when the Namibia National Teachers Union resolved to lead its more than 20, 000 members on an indefinite strike Thursday demanding an 8 percent salary increase.

Namibia that is going through a drought said there is no money for an 8 percent salary increase but just 5 percent.

The strike will affect 65,863 Grade 12 and 50,012 Grade 10 candidates who have registered for the 2016 national examinations.

Government on Monday said they would need to recruit 2,454 volunteers to invigilate the examinations, and that will cost just over 48 million Namibian dollars (more than 3 million U.S. dollars).

Although private schools are not affected by the strike, the government said the postponement of the examinations also applies to such schools.

In a circular sent out Wednesday night after the labor court ruling, the education minister Katrina Hanse-Himarwa said all Grade 10 and 12 examinations scheduled for Thursday and Friday should be postponed until further notice.

Grade 12 were supposed to sit for mathematics and entrepreneurship Thursday and Friday, while Grade 10 were set to write Integrated Performing Arts paper 1 and Science respectively.

Hanse-Himarwa, however, said all examinations will go on as scheduled on Monday.

"Parents/ Guardians of children in government schools are strongly advised to keep their children home for logistical reasons on the days mentioned," the circular said.

It also said hostel superintendents should ensure the safety of the children staying at schools.

All those who do not want to participate in the strike, the circular said, should continue with their work. Endit