The Ministry of Education, Arts, and Culture (MoEAC) has agreed to reduce the ratio of learners per teacher for the 2023 academic year.

A letter issued to Nampa on Tuesday signed by MoEAC Executive Director Sanet Steenkamp said this comes after the ministry and the Namibia National Teacher Union (Nantu) in a meeting on Friday mutually resolved to reduce learners per class following mutual concern about the poor performance in the 2022 Namibia Senior Secondary Certificate Ordinary Level and Namibia Senior Secondary Certificate Advanced Subsidiary Level examinations.

Overcrowded classes at various public schools countrywide have been flagged as a concern due to a lack of adequate infrastructure.

The letter indicated that it was resolved that pre-primary schools should adhere to the 25 learners to a teacher ratio, while junior primary (grades one to four) will adhere to 35 learners per teacher. Senior primary and secondary (grades five to 12) will see 40 learners per teacher at all public schools across the country.

It further noted that classes that reach the limit should be split by the opening of additional classes at existing schools through temporary classrooms or a platoon system (double shift) at selected affected schools.

"Regional education officials and union delegates will continue analyzing the changes on the ground in order to inform the leadership in both offices on the persisting challenges on February 17, 2023, to pave the way ahead in the best interest of the Namibian child," it said.

The letter also noted that the ministry will negotiate with the relevant authorities to create the required teaching posts to accommodate the resolution.