By Mvula Toivo
We have received many queries regarding the apparent new education system in Namibia. Today’s column intends to address the misunderstanding.
What Is an Education System?
An education system is the total portfolio of the Ministry of Education. In other words, an education system is everything that the Ministry of Education is responsible for. This includes, among others, General Education (Grade 1-12), Adult Basic Education, Tertiary Education, Vocational Education and Training.
Do We Have a Cambridge Education System?
No. We had a Cambridge Examination System which was part of our education system. The Cambridge Examination system is an internationally recognised system which is used in more than 150 countries. Its qualifications include A-level, O-level, HIGCSE, and IGCSE, among others. Cambridge is therefore not an education system but rather an examination. The education system has always been Namibian.
What Is the Difference?
The difference is that the examination system is part of the education system. The examination system focuses on evaluating whether a learner has acquired the skills and competencies as identified in the curriculum.
Are We Still Using the Cambridge Examination System?
No. The National Institute for Education Development (NIED) under the Ministry of Education has developed localised syllabuses that will enable the Ministry to administer localised examinations.
As from 2007, the Ministry will take over the professional and administrative functions of the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) and the Higher International General Certificate of Secondary Education (HIGCSE) from the Cambridge International Examinations (CIE).
This means that the IGCSE and HIGCSE qualifications will be replaced by the Namibia Senior Secondary Certificate (NSSC) and Higher Namibian Senior Secondary Certificate (HNSSC). The NSSC was approved by the National Examination Assessment and Certification Board of Namibia.
Why Were We Using the Cambridge Examination System?
We were using the Cambridge Examination System since independence to ensure that our graduates from the education system are internationally competitive. As a new nation and Ministry, emerging from the Apartheid colonial system, we did not have the human resources and expertise required to have our own examination system. Being a member of the Commonwealth, the only option we were left with after de-linking from Cape Education was the Cambridge Examination System to allow for continuity. It allowed or afforded our Namibian learners, once they had completed Grade 12, to study not only in Namibia, but in SADC and elsewhere. It gave them the opportunity to study at any higher or tertiary institution of their choice anywhere in the world. Cambridge qualifications are recognised and accepted for entry by universities in the UK, including Cambridge University, and also universities in Canada, USA, New Zealand and many around the world.
Is Our New Examination System Internationally Recognised?
Yes. The new examination system has been aligned or modelled to the Cambridge Examination System. Question papers will be prepared locally and the marking of the question papers will also be done locally. The qualifications will still be internationally recognised as in the Cambridge system by all countries in the Commonwealth and beyond. The NSSC and HNSSC will still be issued with the endorsement of Cambridge.
– The Education Corner is a bi-monthly column that was created by the Ministry of Education to highlight educational issues that are of concern to its stakeholders (learners, students, parents, teachers, development partners, unions, and the private and public sector). For more information, contact the Public Relations Office at Tel: 061-2933358 or 2933366.