The Student Union of Namibia (SUN) has condemned the alleged use of school learners by politicians for personal gain, urging protection for learners' safety on public platforms.

 At a media briefing held in Windhoek, the union stressed that the use of minors to read politically motivated speeches in public is a violation of children's rights.

The union urged political leaders to refrain from the use of learners for political means, as it deprives them of their dreams of becoming sportsmen or teachers. 

Benard Kavau, the Chairperson of the SUN Board, stated that this practice further exposes learners to the risk of bullying.

"The danger is that when a learner is being used in political arenas, that learner becomes vulnerable. One, through cyberbullying. This cyberbullying can be done online. If you look at those comments, people are already saying, 'Why is she shouting?' Why is she crying? So this learner is exposed to danger. Secondly, this learner is more likely to be bullied at school."

In addition to that, Kavau demanded that, before a learner is called to deliver a speech on a public platform, it must first be approved at the school level by the principal, with consent from the parents.

SUN Regional Chairperson, Selma Shigwedha, believes that learners should focus on education rather than politics, for their future's sake.

"They should allow learners to focus on what is in their best interest. So if we make a school an institute of politics, that way kids start diverging and carrying on political agendas rather than focusing on the vision that they want to create for themselves."

The Union advises learners not to affiliate themselves with politics at a young age, but to rather focus on their education.