The University of Namibia has conferred qualifications on 984 students during its Spring Graduation Ceremony in Windhoek on Thursday.

Among the graduates were five members of the San Community who received a Diploma in Junior Primary Education INSET under UNAM's In-Service Teacher Training Programme.

UNAM's In-Service Teacher Training Programme was introduced in 2016 as an initiative of former Minister of Education Katrina Hanse-Himarwa to address the high number of unqualified and underqualified teachers, particularly those teaching Grades One to Three.

The 36-year-old Cwi Cique from Dou-Pos Village in the Nyae Nyae Constituency was the first graduate called to the stage to receive his diploma. 

"I was volunteering for ECN, and my school principal recognised me and said I was a young boy that could show others that you as a San can also be like others. Come and join us at Tsumkwe School, and I said, 'No, Mr Indongo, I can't do it, and I don't like being in front of kids,' but he said I could do it. The next day I followed up, and next thing I knew, I was teaching." 

The programme allows serving teachers to continue working while studying through a blended learning approach that combines face-to-face classes, distance learning, self-study and online support.

Now qualified to teach Grades Two and Three, Cique says the programme enabled him to continue teaching on a contract basis at schools including Tsumkwe Junior Primary School and Den/ui Village Primary School while pursuing his qualification.

"There were assignments to be done, but at the same time we were at schools; there was no network sometimes, so we had to go do the assignments in Tsumkwe. Another challenge was covid-19; when it happened, we missed classes, and our system got blocked."

UNAM Council Chairperson Wilhencia Uiras welcomed the graduation of students from the San Community, saying this reflects the diversity of Namibian societies in education.

"We want to and need to see graduation ceremonies that reflect the demographic of our society."

The graduating class comprises students from various faculties, with the Faculty of Education accounting for the largest share at 593 graduates.

"Those of you who are going to be teachers, you carry a very important task: to be able to change the narrative that we have in our society, where we ask people or children, 'What do you want to become?' Education is not about becoming; we should be asking, 'What problems are you going to solve with the knowledge you get?' If this question is persistently asked, they will grow up knowing that the purpose of education is to be able to resolve challenges within their society," stressed UNAM Vice Chancellor, Professor Kenneth Matengu. 

Of the graduates, 21 are international students. Female graduates accounted for 65% of the class, while males made up 35%.