H ERRAMIENTAS , LENGUAJES Y TECNOLOGÍAS A UTILIZAR

In my study, I found that since the parents are offered choices regarding primary and secondary education in town, it would be a contributing factor in stabilising the dynamics of the town. If there are good schools to select from, employees or prospective investors might consider staying or investing in the town. This, in turn, will develop the citizenry’s confidence in the town and would attract much-needed skilled labour and investors.

As in so many cases elsewhere in Namibia where parents initiated private schools (for whatever reason or purpose), the fact remains that the parents identified the need for private or alternative school education. These parents lived in or around the communities where schools were needed. Thus, the need for these private schools differed completely from why the Mine at Oranjemund developed a private school.

The natural competition derived from the choice between a public school and a private school would have a very positive spin-off. I argue that the schools will try to compete with each other not only for results, but also for learners, parents, sponsors/investors and other much-needed resources. Verger et al. (2016:224) point out in a comparative review that the World Bank report on public private partnerships states: “The idea is that parents choose the best school for their children on the grounds of quality, which in turn puts pressure on schools to compete to attract students and achieve better academic results at lower cost.” According to the same report, the provision of a choice and exit opportunities may benefit the less privileged and marginalised members of a community (Verger et al., 2016). It is also important to bear in mind that international research on school choice, according to Verger et al. (2016:234), shows that families’ preferences tend to vary according to their socio-economic status (SES). Academic performance is valued more by families with a higher SES. In contrast, families with a lower SES are less responsive to educational performance.

Verger et al. (2016) explain the influence of quasi-markets on the Chilean education system. My study correlates with that of Verger et al. in the sense that, on the micro-level, the education niche market in Oranjemund is similar to the Chilean case. The Oranjemund experience is that parents are more involved in the education of their children. The main contributing factor is that it is a very small community and everyone basically knows everyone else. The biggest obstacle, however, is the parents’ lack of income or lower socio-economic status; the parents do not have a wider choice between the two schools on offer: it is either public or private school education.

As in any other town in Namibia, the parents’ choices regarding their children’s education in Oranjemund revolves around the following basic factors:

• ‘Free’ education or having to pay school fees.

• The affordability of the school fees in the case of the private school.

• The perceived quality of education offered at both schools.

• The return on investment, regardless of whether education is free or comes at a financial premium.

• The additional costs associated with the extramural activities presented at both schools. This includes the extra costs involved in purchasing the school uniform, sportswear and winter clothing.

• Distance to walk to the school and the affordability of public transport, essentially taxis.

• Values taught at the school.

• Exposure to the broader curriculum, educational trips and expansion of the learning content, internet access and access to available technologies.

• Religious restrictions or practices, inclusions and exclusions.

• Disciplinary and fairness issues related to learner behaviour.

• Security for the learners and anti-bullying mechanisms in the school.

• Professional training and conduct of teachers.

• Afternoon extra classes, remedial assistance and interventions in the case of learning problems.

• Inclusiveness regarding disabled learners in mainstream activities.

• Selection of subject choices on offer.

• The size of the classes – learner number per class – are the classes overcrowded?

• Co-ed education, with an emphasis on respect for the opposite sex.

• Safety of the child in class, on the playground, on school trips and excursions, at sport practices and games, etc.

Verger et al. (2016) mention that studies in Chilean schools indicate that 87% of parents consider the composition of the school to be extremely important. It is important for them that their children have contact with other children coming from the same socio-economic backgrounds as their own. The quality of education seems to be better in smaller schools; classes are not overcrowded and teachers have time to pay additional time and attention to learners struggling at school.

I agree with the findings in the paragraph above, since the insights I gained through my study showed that, in offering an education solution for the community of Oranjemund, the two schools will have to work together very closely in terms of the subject choices offered at the schools. The management

of the schools have to be very aware of the choices they offer to parents in terms of their needs. There is a need for both schools in this town; some parents cannot afford to pay school fees, but all parents need excellent educational opportunities for their children. The public school will expand rapidly and the private school will shrink in size until both settle into what the market demands and can afford.

This might take some time, but in the end it will be accepted that there are two choices for parents.

Further choices for parents are the following:

• A choice of early childhood education: Oranjemund Private School Pre-Primary School and a number of day-care centres and crèches.

• Free public education from Grade 0 to 7.

• Private primary school education from Grade 0 to 7.

• Free secondary school education from Grade 8 to 11, offering Grade 12 on extended level from 2010, a wider range of subject choices and more cost-effective usage of resources.