Protestant Education in Namibia: Serving Church and State

Abstract

Struggling to rise from widespread poverty, an AIDS epidemic, and racial disparity, the young nation of Namibia places much of its hope in the education of its children. However, this study argues that the resources associated with secular public schooling are inadequate to meet the needs of the nation. Though secular schools might teach knowledge and skills, the philosophic and human nurture of children is more adequately addressed in religious school settings. However, Namibia’s history of religious schooling is often viewed with warranted suspicion, which not only shapes current public education efforts, but also shapes today’s small Protestant school sector. Thus, following the presentation of the historical setting and a survey of Namibia’s contemporary Protestant school community, this chapter attempts to point the way forward for the Christian school community to grow in depth and breadth to serve both the Church and the state. First, the Christian school community is encouraged to re-examine its mission and methods. The Protestant school community is fractured with some sectors struggling to survive. Thus, the community is encouraged to build organizational and personal links that will facilitate the physical, spiritual, and relational growth of the community. Schools that present an essentially “secular” curriculum are encouraged to reflect deeply on the ways that their faith influences what is, or could be, taught. Secondly, the way forward requires governmental understanding and response. Though Namibia works with and partly funds many religious schools, its policies tend to create pressures that shape religious schools toward a secular model, which weaken the unique qualities religious schools bring to society. Thus, government leaders must more fully understand that the philosophic and human needs of society are frequently religious in nature and intrinsic to the education today. Those delegated with education power are encouraged to understand the inadequacies inherent to secular schooling, and to provide religious schools with the freedoms and support they need to nurture young citizens. Concluding, this study argues that Namibia’s Protestant schools play a key role in supporting both the Church and the state. The diversity, integrity, and unique calling of each school provide foundations upon which the Christian school community can grow in depth and breadth to bring greater wholeness to both individuals and the nation.