Julia Kamarenga
In the quest to help learners discover their interests and steer them to suitable careers and educational options, the Ritja Career Fair held a two-day career fair and education seminar in the Omaheke region, reaching hundreds of learners.
Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said at the event held in Gobabis on 9 and 10 February 2023 that the Namibian government continues to prioritise education, and is committed to implementing the necessary reforms aimed at improving educational outcomes.
This year’s budget will seek to actualise the agreed reforms, taking into consideration the current challenges that have resulted in poor school examination results, she noted.
Kuugongelwa-Amadhila also revealed that a VTC reform programme is under implementation to expand access to VTCs for the youth, and to improve the programmes offered at VTCs to ensure that they meet labour market demands.
Government policies are geared to promote research and innovation for knowledge creation and application, which is obligatory for economic growth and development.
“Our quest for transforming society through education and training to meet the economic needs of the country is quenched when parents, teachers and the general communities work together with government to educate the Namibian child. Therefore, all activists should continue to inspire, invigorate and mobilise young people to take their education seriously” said the Prime Minister.
On her part, the Minister of Higher Education, Training and Innovation Itah Kandjii-Murangi said career fairs are important and timely events aimed at empowering and enlightening children about educational and career pathways which are at their disposal.
Career fairs seek to prepare learners at the point of transition, from a stage of knowledge and skills development to a more advanced development phase, or to a phase of the direct application of knowledge and skills.
Kandjii-Murangi reminded stakeholders that with the country’s labour market growing and changing fast, it is important to be mindful of newly-discovered economic growth points such as green hydrogen, oil, gas, solar and other emerging technologies.
She further called for adequate guidance and direction to facilitate the inevitable processes of self-assessment or audit, career or educational assessment, and decision- making.
“You are being exposed to critical realities of what is likely to lead you to self-actualisation and fulfillment to become real meaningful contributors to your own decent livelihoods, that of your communities and the country’s sustainable development, and for you to contribute to Namibia’s shared prosperity,” she observed.
She also urged learners to not join the unemployment pool or pursue fields which are already saturated upon completion of tertiary education.
The minister encouraged learners to take into consideration the academic and technical streams of education, and to never confine themselves to one, reminding them that the technical stream gives immediate financial freedom once the graduate puts to use the tools as a self-employed entrepreneur.
Also speaking at the event, governor of the Khomas region and patron of the Ritja Career Fair Laura McLeod-Katjirua revealed that the objectives of the fair are to mobilise and sensitise learners and students about the significance of a clear career path, as well as to create a culture of networking and
benchmarking.
Learners from all secondary schools in the region could not hold their excitement, and showed appreciation for the opportunity accorded them, with some saying such fairs should be done twice a year to ensure that those who re-assessed themselves in the beginning of the year will get guidance towards the end of the year before their final choice of career paths.