Rudolf Gaiseb
The Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture yesterday announced the suspension of the new education directive issued on 14 June 2024, which pertains to the withdrawal of Formal Education Circular 3 of 2019.
The new directive to withdraw the 2019 Circular caused panic among many Namibians, especially recent education graduates.
But after student bodies and experts slammed the idea, the education ministry announced the suspension of the directive.
In a statement sent to education directors and all regional councillors, executive director Sanet Steenkamp said the suspension of the new directive is necessitated by the constitution of a steering committee identified to oversee and coordinate the consultative process for the review of Formal Education Circular 3 of 2019, which is scheduled for 15-16 July 2024.
The ministry invited institutions of higher learning which offer teacher training programmes to submit the details of their programmes offered for junior primary phase teachers, as well as other relevant stakeholders and interest groups, to take part in this review.
The president of the Students Union of Namibia, Benhard Kavau, yesterday expressed gratitude for the suspension of the new directive.
“We are pleased with the decision of the Ministry of Basic Education, Arts and Culture, and are grateful to our country’s constitution for allowing freedom of expression to be recognised. Where there’s democracy, there’s a fair level of playing field for all voices to be heard.
“We now invite all graduates to apply. It is our hope that everyone will be considered for equal opportunity without prejudice.
“Our hope is that perhaps the ministry’s steering committee has the right people with the right minds. There are clear statutory provisions for how programmes are developed – from national qualification frameworks (NQF) to accreditation,” he said.
The union believes the Namibia Qualifications Authority is a key stakeholder since they deal with the development of national qualification frameworks in line with the national development plans, while the National Council of Higher Education deals with the registration of institutions.