… As only two females make shortlist out of 173 applicants
By Stefanus Nashama
A teaching post at Eluwa Resources School has sparked controversy after only two female candidates were shortlisted for interviews out of 173 applicants.
The school, which caters for visually and hearing-impaired learners in Ongwediva, Oshana Region, advertised a post for Integrated Natural Science and Health Education for Grades four to seven.
However, several applicants have raised concerns over the selection process, calling for the position to be re-advertised while alleging favouritism, nepotism and irregularities.
Sources close to the matter claimed that school principal Ndinelago Nangolo introduced sign language as an additional requirement during the selection process, despite it not being included in the original advertisement.
They alleged that the requirement narrowed the pool of eligible candidates and resulted in only two applicants being shortlisted for interviews.
“Sign language was not part of the requirements when the post was advertised,” a source claimed.
Applicants also questioned why the interviews were conducted internally instead of involving panel members from other schools, as is common practice in government recruitment processes.
“Normally, government interviews are conducted by panelists from other schools to avoid corruption and favouritism. But this did not happen,” a source alleged.
One applicant questioned how only two candidates could be shortlisted from such a large number of applications.
“How can only two females be shortlisted when there were so many applications? The whole process was corruption for the school principal to have a candidate of her own choice,” the applicant claimed.
The complainants further alleged that the shortlisted candidates had previously worked with Nangolo at another school.
They also questioned the relevance of the sign language requirement, claiming it mainly applies to learners with hearing impairments in lower grades.
Nangolo declined to comment on the allegations and referred the matter to the Oshana education directorate.
“I cannot comment. Please, I am referring you to my director. Talk to me through my director,” she said.
School board chairperson Simeone Mutumbo also declined to comment, saying communication must follow official channels.
“As a school board chair, I do not give the views of the school information. There is a line of communication. I only communicate through the inspector or the director,” he said.
Oshana education director Pauline Shapumba could not be reached for comment.
According to sources, interviews were conducted on 22 July, while the appointment has not yet been finalised.
Outspoken local politician, Nghipudilo Ya Shiindi said a lot of corruption is happening in the education system but she needed more details to the matter.
She also echoed that the issue is not shortlisted candidates being all women but what matters is about meeting the requirements to the post.
Avoiding commenting further, Ya Shiindi said only if she could gather more detail on the matter she could comment more.
“I know a lot is going on with the education system but I need more detail as to what makes only two candidates to be shortlisted for the post. I personally need to find out what really happened and then I will have more room to comment,” she said.
