Know Your Civil Servant: Mutirakuti finds purpose in shaping young minds

Zebaldt Ngaruka

For Milky Rusuvero Mutirakuti, a teacher’s true measure of success lies in the progress of a child who once struggled but eventually learns to believe in their abilities.

As a Junior Primary teacher at Drimiopsis Primary School in the Kalahari Constituency of the Omaheke region, Mutirakuti is passionate about giving young learners the guidance, patience and support they need to build a strong foundation for their future.

Since joining the public service in 2024, she has embraced teaching as an opportunity to shape young minds and contribute to Namibia’s development, one learner at a time.

“I believe that every child has potential, regardless of their background or circumstances,” she said.

A calling to serve

Born and raised in Windhoek, Mutirakuti attended People’s Primary School in Katutura before completing her junior secondary education at St Joseph’s RC High School. She completed Grade 12 at Winnie du Plessis Secondary School in Gobabis.

Her passion for working with young children led her to pursue a Diploma in Junior Primary Education at the University of Namibia (Unam), which she completed in 2023.

She joined the public service the following year and is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree to strengthen her professional knowledge and teaching skills.

Mutirakuti said joining the public service was a long-held dream, driven by her desire to contribute to national development through education.

“My patience with children and my desire to guide and nurture them played a significant role in my decision to become a teacher,” she said.

“Teaching is more than a job or a source of income; it is a calling to serve, inspire and empower the next generation.”

At Drimiopsis Primary School, her responsibilities extend beyond teaching learners to recognise letters and numbers. She plans age-appropriate lessons, introduces foundational literacy and numeracy, encourages creativity through play and practical activities, and helps children develop communication and social skills.

She also promotes respect, kindness, discipline, cooperation and responsibility, believing that children learn better in safe, welcoming environments where they feel accepted and valued.

Her approach recognises that learners develop at different rates and require different forms of support.

Patience in the classroom

Despite the rewards of teaching, Mutirakuti acknowledges that meeting the different academic, emotional and social needs of young learners can be challenging.

While some children grasp concepts quickly, others require additional time, individual attention and encouragement. Teaching in a rural school can also demand creativity, particularly when learning materials are limited.

“As teachers, we must find creative ways to make lessons meaningful and ensure that every learner has an opportunity to participate and learn,” she said.

Supporting children who struggle with their emotions or behaviour also requires patience, understanding, and consistency.

Rather than viewing these difficulties as obstacles, Mutirakuti sees them as opportunities to improve her teaching methods and better understand the children in her care. “With patience, love, guidance and appropriate support, children can overcome difficulties and make remarkable progress,” she said.

Small victories, lasting impact

One of Mutirakuti’s proudest moments came at the beginning of this year when she worked with a learner who struggled with almost every classroom activity.

The child needed additional guidance and individual attention to understand tasks and participate confidently. Mutirakuti provided consistent support and encouragement, refusing to let the learner’s difficulties define her abilities.

Today, the learner’s improvement has become a source of pride for the young teacher. “Her progress has reminded me that every child can learn and improve when given the necessary support, patience and opportunity,” she said.

Another memorable experience involved a learner who struggled to manage his emotions and frequently bullied classmates.

Instead of focusing only on his behaviour, Mutirakuti guided him with patience and understanding. Over time, she noticed positive changes in his conduct and interactions with other learners.

“Sometimes, a child needs someone who believes in them, guides them through their challenges and shows them kindness even when their behaviour is difficult,” she said.

These experiences have reinforced her belief that teachers influence more than academic performance. They also help children develop emotional awareness, respect for others, and confidence.

Positive feedback from parents further motivates her, highlighting the importance of cooperation between teachers and families in supporting children’s development.

Defending public service

Mutirakuti rejects generalisations that civil servants are unproductive or inefficient, arguing that dedicated public servants often do more work than is visible.

Teachers’ responsibilities extend beyond classroom lessons to planning, preparing materials, assessing learners, managing different personalities, supporting emotional development, and communicating with parents. These demands can become particularly challenging in rural schools where resources are limited.

However, she believes public servants must remain accountable and committed to providing quality services.

“I believe it is unfair to judge all public servants based on the actions of a few individuals,” she said. “Every public servant must be accountable, professional and committed to delivering quality service. Public trust is earned through our actions, work ethic and willingness to take responsibility.”

She believes teachers’ contributions should also be recognised through learners’ progress and the values they develop, while acknowledging the need for continuous improvement in public service delivery.

Shaping one child at a time

For Mutirakuti, the greatest reward in teaching is watching children gain confidence, acquire new skills, and begin to believe in their abilities.

Her long-term wish is to see her learners grow into responsible, compassionate individuals who contribute positively to their communities and Namibia.

She also hopes to continue growing professionally, make her family proud, and live by the values of hard work, humility and service.

“I want to look back on my career and know that I made a meaningful difference in the lives of the children I taught,” she said.

For Mutirakuti, Namibia’s future begins with the children sitting in front of her each day, and she remains committed to helping them realise their potential, one child at a time.

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