We Cannot Build Namibia’s Universities on Passion Alone

Many People assume that lecturers enter the classroom, teach for a few hours, and then go home. The reality is very different. Behind every lecture is a stack of lesson plans to be prepared, assignments waiting to be marked, student consultations, research to be completed, several meetings to attend and endless administrative responsibilities. For many academics, the working day extends well beyond normal office hours. Despite these demands, many lecturers continue to give their best. They answer emails after hours, mark assignments late into the night, supervise students on weekends and continue teaching despite having barely enough time to breathe. Why? There is something almost interesting about the idea of a lecturer who stays late because students need help. We call it dedication. We call it passion. Think of this: one lecturer may stay late because they genuinely care about students.

Another may do so because there is simply too much work to finish during normal working hours. From the outside, both look like committed employees. The difference is important. One is passion. The other may be a warning sign. Throughout my years in higher education, I have often heard lecturers say, “I do it because I love teaching”. COMMITMENT Many genuinely believe that education changes lives and that helping students succeed is a calling rather than merely a job. This commitment is one of the reasons Namibia’s higher education sector continues to produce graduates who contribute to national development. However, my recent research has led me to a troubling conclusion: passion can be both a strength and a weakness. On the positive side, passionate educators are motivated, committed, and willing to go the extra mile for their students. Many continue to work under challenging…