Mahongora Kavihuha of the Teachers Union of Namibia has questioned whether the 2023 ordinary and advanced subsidiary-level results released by the education authorities are worth celebrating.

Kavihuha acknowledges that there is'some' improvement in the national results but adds that the improvement is marginal, hardly warranting the current congratulatory celebrations.

Minister of Education, Arts, and Culture, Anna Nghipondoka, revealed last week that 75 percent of learners did not meet the needed marks to continue their studies at universities.

She, however, announced an over-three percent increase in those who qualify for university admission.

But these results do not impress the Secretary General of the Teacher Union of Namibia, Mahongora Kavihuha.

Kavihuha's first swipe was at the revised high school curriculum.

"We have also expressed our position on the idea of students exiting basic education or shortening the years of basic education to 11 instead of 12; the other reason for opposing it was the fact that the 11-year exit point is just too early in the development of the learners, and this is what leads to them facing a lot of challenges".

It was Nghipondoka's instruction last week that principals, directors, and inspectors commence with the signing of performance agreements with teachers.

But this does not sit well with the unionists.

"On the whole, we have no problem with the signing of the performance agreement unless and until the demands that the trade unions have made as a prerequisite for their signing are met. We reiterate our position and call on our members to refrain from signing any agreement brought in under the guise of improving results".