Finland’s Ambassador to Namibia, Anne Saloranta, on Wednesday called upon all stakeholders in education to ensure that San children are given support to continue their schooling.
She said members of the San community that are educated could serve as role models to set a positive example of successful individuals who have prospered by taking their education seriously.
Saloranta was speaking at the official launch of a pamphlet titled, “Inclusive Education for San Children in Namibia” at a restaurant in Windhoek.
The Embassy of Finland sponsored the publication of the pamphlet which was produced in collaboration with Working Group of Indigenous Minorities in Southern Africa (WIMSA) and the Namibia San Council.
The pamphlet is part of a two-year project by WIMSA aimed at promoting education for indigenous children in Namibia as well as strengthening the structures and operations of the Namibian San Council, funded by the Finnish Embassy.
According to Saloranta the ultimate goal of the project is to bridge the gap between policy and practice and it has critically examined systems intended for inclusive education.
She said the activities of the project have included, among others, support for ECD centres, capacity building for communities through the members of the San Council and support for San learners from primary to tertiary levels.
Speaking at the same event Elsarien Katiti, who herself is a beneficiary of the project, said it is important for children to feel safe at school. “We should foster a culture of respect and belonging and develop safe study environments,” she said.
Katiti stressed education is one of the key pillars of society and that inclusive education is important because it is needed to value existing cultural diversity.
She made the example of people in Namibia always asking which tribe one belongs to when they meet.
Katiti further stated most people do not even know the San consist of seven different tribes with different languages.
She called on the authorities to ensure children are taught in their mother tongues at primary level as enshrined in the constitution. She feels this will promote a participatory learning system and respect for cultural differences.
A field officer for WIMSA, Elfrieda Gaeses, also called for the implementation of the policies that promote the right of children to be educated in their mother tongue.
She argues if the educational outcomes for San children are improved it will lead significantly to the reduction of poverty and raising the quality of life within the San communities in Namibia.
She said the pamphlet highlights a number of articles in the constitution as well as policies and international agreements that Namibia is part of which guarantees the right of San children to education.
Moses Khumub who is a member of the Namibia San Council said that it is time to put those policies into practice.
He also said that it is true the San are discriminated against and called for advocacy and actions to integrate the San into the mainstream of Namibian society.
She said members of the San community that are educated could serve as role models to set a positive example of successful individuals who have prospered by taking their education seriously.
Saloranta was speaking at the official launch of a pamphlet titled, “Inclusive Education for San Children in Namibia” at a restaurant in Windhoek.
The Embassy of Finland sponsored the publication of the pamphlet which was produced in collaboration with Working Group of Indigenous Minorities in Southern Africa (WIMSA) and the Namibia San Council.
The pamphlet is part of a two-year project by WIMSA aimed at promoting education for indigenous children in Namibia as well as strengthening the structures and operations of the Namibian San Council, funded by the Finnish Embassy.
According to Saloranta the ultimate goal of the project is to bridge the gap between policy and practice and it has critically examined systems intended for inclusive education.
She said the activities of the project have included, among others, support for ECD centres, capacity building for communities through the members of the San Council and support for San learners from primary to tertiary levels.
Speaking at the same event Elsarien Katiti, who herself is a beneficiary of the project, said it is important for children to feel safe at school. “We should foster a culture of respect and belonging and develop safe study environments,” she said.
Katiti stressed education is one of the key pillars of society and that inclusive education is important because it is needed to value existing cultural diversity.
She made the example of people in Namibia always asking which tribe one belongs to when they meet.
Katiti further stated most people do not even know the San consist of seven different tribes with different languages.
She called on the authorities to ensure children are taught in their mother tongues at primary level as enshrined in the constitution. She feels this will promote a participatory learning system and respect for cultural differences.
A field officer for WIMSA, Elfrieda Gaeses, also called for the implementation of the policies that promote the right of children to be educated in their mother tongue.
She argues if the educational outcomes for San children are improved it will lead significantly to the reduction of poverty and raising the quality of life within the San communities in Namibia.
She said the pamphlet highlights a number of articles in the constitution as well as policies and international agreements that Namibia is part of which guarantees the right of San children to education.
Moses Khumub who is a member of the Namibia San Council said that it is time to put those policies into practice.
He also said that it is true the San are discriminated against and called for advocacy and actions to integrate the San into the mainstream of Namibian society.
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