This article from Africa is so fresh and full of insight and yearning for the best -- for the country and its young people. I am from Canada and extend my best wishes for you to get an excellent education for all.

I agree with Charles Siyauya that "Education is the best gift the Government can ever give to a Namibian child because no one can steal it."

I have to tell you I am involved in education reform efforts in North America, England and Australia, and even though we may be further ahead in education than African countries, I must warn you that there are many mistakes that we have made. Some mistakes continue to haunt us now, such as too much bureaucracy and "professionalization" of education so that there is little accountability. Much money is wasted and diverted and does not get to the children for their education.

The best I can offer right now is for you to examine the proven methods for Effective Schools from the work of Ron Edmonds from Harvard, 1978. 1. Instructional Leadership - good principal 2. Focused School Mission - agreed by parents and school and reviewed periodically 3. Orderly Environment - purposeful atmosphere 4. High expectations - students are capable and teachers are capable of making a difference 5. Mastery of Basic Skills - the 3 r's as building blocks for further learning 6. Frequent Monitoring of Results - a) student progress measured and conveyed to parents/caregivers; b) teacher effectiveness monitored; c) school goals from mission statement monitored 7. Meaningful Parent Involvement - parents are well informed, provide feedback, consulted about changes and parent-initiated contact is welcomed 8. Avoidance of Pitfalls - awareness of good educational practice plus being up-to-date on promising practices and discredited practices

The main thing I would like to challenge in Siyauya's excellent paper is his idea that a "full course of primary schooling" should be completed by all children. This would be a mistake if, as we find here, it sometimes means "social promotion" (passing children along without mastering their basic skills) or providing "accommodation" which is just baby-sitting for those children with special needs who need either more time or particular teaching skills.

I expect to stay in touch and hope to keep this conversation going if there is any interest. Very best wishes, Tunya Audain

Please may I have access to any further conversations on this topic especially from our coleague in Canada. I am a masters student at the university of namibia and currently doing a research on the education system here. Currentlu I am looking for relevant literature on factors that influence performance of learners especially those that are sitting for examinations for the second time. please help.

Mwanza