The ‘Free’ in Free Education
By The Author [When My Mind is Liberated]
Not knowing what was to come, we were very excited when the government declared education to be free. These HPP consultants did a good one on us, I must admit; they are good at selling fake dreams to us.
I mean, a Free Education is feasible in a country that is blessed with natural wealth and can actually take care of its citizens.
Wait, what am I talking about? Well, it’s true that the country can afford free education of a high standard; just that the politicians are afraid the citizens will become smart and outwit them in their thievery.
Instead, the government consultants encouraged the government to convince the people that education is indeed free. But in-between their lies and plotting, they made sure to “save” money by ceasing to provide stationeries and requiring parents and guardians to provide stationeries and toiletries and cleaning material to schools – just so that their kids may get free education.
Just imagine the crafting that went into successfully designing this scheme.
If only other national programmes enjoyed such precision a lot more could have been achieved and guaranteed self sustenance. But again, nothing is quite self-sustaining in Namibia; things are sustainable only in design but not execution.
Time has got a funny way of revealing the truth and so now we all know better. Now we know why we continue to reek of poverty despite the many “power showers” we take. We know why some elitists have a perfumed life and can afford to talk down on the poor and advocate “innovation and perseverance”.
They talk about smart partnerships, affirmative actions, entrepreneurship and all other progressive phrases and inspiration quotes.
Rather, they should have made it easier for the average Namibian by using simple and practical words like Steal, Deceive, Bribe, Silent Partnerships, Affirmative Repossession of public resources for personal benefit and all the words encompassing one word: Corruption.
They should have just been clear from the start of the economic struggle that we need to be corrupt in order to change our lives and be exempt from poverty. Instead they confused us with technical words, making us look like fools in trying to crack the “com-raid-codes”.
The order should have been precise: “Steal in groups and make sure not to be caught, alternatively embed yourself in resources that are not technically yours and manage them but don’t get caught. When you get caught, get yourself a “connected” or “friendly but fugitive” lawyer and don’t name the Boss.”
Let me not deviate from the point am trying to make.
How I wish education was really free, in fact it could have been and can still be free if resources are used to the benefit of the citizens. Just imagine the difference one corruption case in Namibia could have made.
Fees for stationeries and school uniforms and school development funds would have been “paid up” and the education system could have positively impacted everybody. Needless to say, these noble ideas will remain imaginations and fable stories in the hearts and minds of the duly oppressed and blinded ones.
So the 2030 Visionaries will continue to give us their ‘free’ education.
