Education in Namibia(3)
(4)
History(1)
After gaining independence in 1990, the Ministry of Education in Namibia had a variety of obstacles to overcome. Apartheid ideology from South African rule led to dramatic inequalities and disparities in the quality of education between ethnic groups. Furthermore, the content, pedagogy, and assessment practices of the pre-independence system did not meet the needs and goals of the Namibian people. Thus, the Ministry of Education undertook a comprehensive reform process focused on access, equity, quality, democracy, and lifelong learning. Vision 2030, a national development agenda, was created in response to the needs of the education sector and called for an "innovative, knowlege based society, supported by a dynamic, responsive and highly effective education and training system." Namibia continues to work towards better education quality for all and highly trained college graduates.
Structure
The Namibian constitution and Education Act (2001) frame the education system as the following: "compulsory school attendance exists for the seven years of primary school, respectively for children between the age of six and sixteen. School fees are not allowed for primary education." Currently, there are six levels of education in Namibia: pre-primary, lower primary (grades 1-4), upper primary (grades 5-7), junior secondary (grades 8-10), senior secondary (grades 11 & 12), and tertiary (university). Before grade 4, learners are taught in their native language with a switch to English-only instruction after grade 4. Upon completing grade 12, learners receive the Namibia Senior Secondary Certificate (NSSC) and are eligible to attend a Namibian university. The two primary universities in Namibia are Polytechnic of Namibia (Polytec), which focuses on technical and administrative studies, while the University of Namibia (UNAM) offers classic university subjects. Additionally, the Namibian College of Open Learning (NAMCOL) allows out-of-school youth and young adults to earn their grade 10 or grade 12 certificate at their own pace and convenience. NAMCOL learners are often taught after regular school hours at secondary schools in the area (2).
Successes & Challenges
Namibia spends a considerable amount of the national budget on the education sector, around 20%. Although there is much room for improvement, Namibia's education has come a long way since independence in 1990. In 2006, more than 95% of school age children were enrolled and drop-out rates were decreasing. Overall, Namibia has managed to improve its Education for All Development index by more than 5% since 1999.
However despite high spending levels, these investments are not producing equivalent outputs in learner achievement and preparation for the work force. There are a variety of challenges for Namibia's Ministry of Education including recent declines in enrollment rates and issues related to poor quality education. Enrollment has stagnated in recent years due to lack of transportation and low population density, additional schooling costs (uniform, meals, learning materials), and the impact of orphaned children due to HIV/AIDS. In terms of quality, school curricula standards are very low, English language learning remains a challenge in the classroom, and untrained teachers prevent learners from succeeding in school.
Reforms & Policies
Fortunately, a number of reforms have been established in response to shortcomings in the education sector. Education for All (EFA), the Education and Training Sector Improvement Programme (ETSIP), and the National Institute for Educational Development (NEID) are a few of the reforms and policies that have affected education in Namibia. See the report released by UNESCO listed below for more information on these reforms.
After gaining independence in 1990, the Ministry of Education in Namibia had a variety of obstacles to overcome. Apartheid ideology from South African rule led to dramatic inequalities and disparities in the quality of education between ethnic groups. Furthermore, the content, pedagogy, and assessment practices of the pre-independence system did not meet the needs and goals of the Namibian people. Thus, the Ministry of Education undertook a comprehensive reform process focused on access, equity, quality, democracy, and lifelong learning. Vision 2030, a national development agenda, was created in response to the needs of the education sector and called for an "innovative, knowlege based society, supported by a dynamic, responsive and highly effective education and training system." Namibia continues to work towards better education quality for all and highly trained college graduates.
Structure
The Namibian constitution and Education Act (2001) frame the education system as the following: "compulsory school attendance exists for the seven years of primary school, respectively for children between the age of six and sixteen. School fees are not allowed for primary education." Currently, there are six levels of education in Namibia: pre-primary, lower primary (grades 1-4), upper primary (grades 5-7), junior secondary (grades 8-10), senior secondary (grades 11 & 12), and tertiary (university). Before grade 4, learners are taught in their native language with a switch to English-only instruction after grade 4. Upon completing grade 12, learners receive the Namibia Senior Secondary Certificate (NSSC) and are eligible to attend a Namibian university. The two primary universities in Namibia are Polytechnic of Namibia (Polytec), which focuses on technical and administrative studies, while the University of Namibia (UNAM) offers classic university subjects. Additionally, the Namibian College of Open Learning (NAMCOL) allows out-of-school youth and young adults to earn their grade 10 or grade 12 certificate at their own pace and convenience. NAMCOL learners are often taught after regular school hours at secondary schools in the area (2).
Successes & Challenges
Namibia spends a considerable amount of the national budget on the education sector, around 20%. Although there is much room for improvement, Namibia's education has come a long way since independence in 1990. In 2006, more than 95% of school age children were enrolled and drop-out rates were decreasing. Overall, Namibia has managed to improve its Education for All Development index by more than 5% since 1999.
However despite high spending levels, these investments are not producing equivalent outputs in learner achievement and preparation for the work force. There are a variety of challenges for Namibia's Ministry of Education including recent declines in enrollment rates and issues related to poor quality education. Enrollment has stagnated in recent years due to lack of transportation and low population density, additional schooling costs (uniform, meals, learning materials), and the impact of orphaned children due to HIV/AIDS. In terms of quality, school curricula standards are very low, English language learning remains a challenge in the classroom, and untrained teachers prevent learners from succeeding in school.
Reforms & Policies
Fortunately, a number of reforms have been established in response to shortcomings in the education sector. Education for All (EFA), the Education and Training Sector Improvement Programme (ETSIP), and the National Institute for Educational Development (NEID) are a few of the reforms and policies that have affected education in Namibia. See the report released by UNESCO listed below for more information on these reforms.
World Data on Education, 7th Edition-Namibia | |
File Size: | 395 kb |
File Type: |
1. UNESCO. (2004). National Report on the Development of Education in Namibia. Ministry of Basic Education, Sport and Culture, 1-19.
2. http://www.namcol.edu.na/secondary.php
3. Fischer, G. (2010). The Namibian educational system. Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, 1-8.
4. http://www.ibe.unesco.org/fileadmin/user_upload/archive/Countries/WDE/2006/SUB-SAHARAN_AFRICA/Namibia/Namibia.htm
2. http://www.namcol.edu.na/secondary.php
3. Fischer, G. (2010). The Namibian educational system. Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, 1-8.
4. http://www.ibe.unesco.org/fileadmin/user_upload/archive/Countries/WDE/2006/SUB-SAHARAN_AFRICA/Namibia/Namibia.htm