The volunteer teachers who started teaching at Ndama East Primary School at Rundu four years ago are devastated after they failed to make the cut for the permanent teaching jobs advertised in December last year.
They claim that only two out of the fourteen volunteer teachers were successful even though they are all qualified for the positions.
Some of the volunteer teachers, accompanied by parents and community members, gathered for a meeting at Ndama on Tuesday morning.
They expressed their dissatisfaction with the Ministry of Education's recruitment process.
"Today the school is progressing, but the person who worked very hard, they throw you in the dustbin. During the 90s, those people who fought for this country, when they came back, were not asked for an interview. But why should that happen to us? I request the Prime Minister intervene in this matter. What happened to us is not fair. It is hard to understand and to accept it," argued former school principal of Ndama East Primary School, Asser Ndara.
"We are requesting the Prime Minister and the minister, Steenkamp, to look at this matter, on how they are going to solve this matter because we are not happy about what happened. We were betrayed. "This is betrayal," added volunteer teacher at Ndama East Primary School, Jenita Singangu.
Approached for comment, Kavango East Education Director Christine Shilima said the ministry had always made it clear that the vacancies will be following the recruitment policy.
"There was no exception that for these vacancies to be filled, it will be direct recruitment. That was not the message on that day. When an advert is advertised, you cannot have a prior list of candidates that you have to consider. The purpose of recruitment is for transparency and fairness. The vacancies were open to the public, and anyone from whatever region with the relevant qualifications was then, if interested, expected to submit an application."
Shilima, however, mentioned that the Directorate has prepared a separate submission for the Ndama East volunteer teachers to the executive director, and they are still waiting for feedback.
"If it is approved, then that is when they can be appointed without competing with others. But if it is through advertisement, you cannot have prior candidates; then you are just covering up by placing an advert. You can't."