A teacher helps learners with mathematics and science lessons during a tutorial in Windhoek, Namibia, on Oct. 5, 2022. (Photo by Ndalimpinga Iita/Xinhua)
WINDHOEK, Oct. 5 (Xinhua) -- A Namibian secondary school teacher extends care by tutoring struggling learners to improve performance in mathematics and science, subjects that are rated as priority fields by the Namibian government.
Eugene Mangundu, qualified mathematics and physical science teacher at Khomastura High School in the Namibian capital, Windhoek, took the initiative to tutor as an extracurricular to help learners who had not grasped the subject contents during normal classes.
"I started in 2012 with one learner. When they saw the positive impact I made before I knew it, the demand grew as more people across the city approached me," he said Wednesday.
The primary focus is to hearten the youngsters and give them hope for a better future.
He conducts tutorials after normal school hours, in groups, and individual sessions at home to learners from Windhoek and other regions.
"This is done to accommodate the demands and uniqueness of each learner. Some learn better in a group, others require individual attention to grasp the work to catapult ability," Mangundu said, who holds a Bachelor of Education from the University of Namibia.
To date, he has helped over 120 youngsters who have moved on to universities and or the job market.
As the numbers grew from 2019, the tutoring sessions became more organized and structured.
Mangundu also cultivated a flair for writing study guides in mathematics, physical science, and chemistry, availed to the learners.
"The aim is to supplement learning material already offered by schools and aid learners in studying. Most importantly, to challenge them and boost their cognitive skills. Learners become more confident when they grasp the fundamentals, and grades start improving," he added.
According to Mangundu, the tutoring offered under Eugene First Tutorial Academy complements government efforts in providing education.
Meanwhile, the feedback has been positive. Thekla, a parent of one of the youngsters helped by Mangundu, said that her child's understanding of the subject and performance drastically improved.
To Mangundu's delight, all beneficiaries bear such testimonies. According to the 35-year-old teacher, positive feedback meant he had given a gift of academic progression to the learners.
"Sometimes you get a very poor performance learner, and it requires passion and going the extra mile to transform the potential of that youngster into the best performer. This keeps me motivated to help more learners," he said. In the interim, he hopes to transform the lives of more learners.
Ester Anna Nghipondoka, minister of education, arts, and culture, said teachers are at the center of basic education delivery to all the learners in the country because they play an instrumental role in transforming education.
"Teachers are the engines at the heart of our education system, without whom, it is impossible to provide inclusive and equitable quality education to every learner," the minister said.
Namibia joined the rest of the world in observing World Teachers' Day on October 5 under the theme -- The Transformation of Education Begins with Teachers. ■