Ei-iE

A spokesman for EI affiliate, Namibia National Teachers Union (NANTU), has welcomed the decision of the Namibian government to prioritise education in its recent budget allocations. Meanwhile, NANTU is continuing to raise awareness on HIV and AIDS through the distribution of a poster and a leaflet to inform their members about themes related to HIV/AIDS.

Under the national budget, expenditure on education in 2008-09 will amount to the equivalent of €375 million. This is 29 percent higher than in the previous year and accounts for almost a quarter of total national spending. Paul Sauerwein of the Khomas Regional Executive Committee of NANTU expressed the union’s support of the government’s decision, “We applaud the Government for its continued commitment to invest in education”.

He added a note of caution, “It is however important that the various role players ensure that the N$4.8 billion be properly utilized in the provision of quality education.” Educational International endorses NANTU’s emphasis on quality in the provision of education.

NANTU complements the work of EFAIDS globally through in-country publications. A short booklet, ‘Be Part of the Solution to HIV and AIDS’ provides factual information on the disease itself, on voluntary counselling and testing, and finishes with a practical guide to positive, healthy living with HIV. A poster entitled ‘AIDS Is Everyone’s Problem’ provides examples of actions teachers can undertake to combat the spread of HIV. Starting with personal actions like ‘Know my status’ it radiates out to wider actions in the community such as ‘Support People living HIV’.

Education International commends NANTU for taking the lead in the fight against HIV in the educational sector and continues to encourage unions to produce in-country material.

For more information, please contact us at [email protected].