Otjiwarongo: More than 70 school principals, teachers, and learners from across the Otjozondjupa Region gathered in Otjiwarongo on Monday to analyse, provide input, and better understand the new draft Bill for the teaching profession in Namibia.

According to Namibia Press Agency, the meeting was officially opened by Education Deputy Director in Otjozondjupa, Christopher Tjivikua, who urged the attending teachers to actively participate by offering practical inputs that reflect the true realities of teaching and learning at their respective schools. He emphasized the importance of the regional consultative process by the technical team working on the Bill, noting it as an opportunity for stakeholders to make additions, propose changes, or question each word and sentence contained in the draft.

Tjivikua highlighted the significance of these consultations, stating, "Once the regional consultations are completed, the Bill will be passed into a Teaching Profession Law that will guide and govern the teaching profession in the country. Therefore, make a meaningful contribution to it, so that this new teacher's law will remain relevant to our profession for a long period of time."

Education Inspector in the Khomas Region, Tania Louw, who heads the technical team for the Bill, explained that the document consists of 58 pages and is intended to regulate the teaching profession in Namibia. The primary goal of the Bill is to improve the teaching and learning environment in schools. Louw is accompanied by members of the steering committee on the Bill and representatives of teachers' unions from the capital, who are overseeing discussions at this one-day consultative meeting held at the Otjozondjupa Regional Council Hall.