On 15 September 2025, public consultations on the Teaching Profession Bill began in the Khomas region, with the process expected to conclude on 17 October. This critical step follows recommendations from the 2022 National Education Conference.
The proposed Teaching Profession Bill aims to establish the Teaching Profession Council of Namibia. This council will be responsible for the mandatory registration and licensing of all teachers, overseeing continuous professional development, regulating teacher training institutions, and administering disciplinary measures when necessary. These measures are designed to elevate the status of teaching in Namibia, ensuring that it becomes a respected and accountable profession.
Is the Bill relevant?
Namibia continues to face educational disparities, particularly in rural and marginalised areas where access to quality education remains unequal. The legacy of apartheid left the education system racially segregated, with limited opportunities for most Namibians to access quality education and teacher training. The introduction of the Integrated Teacher Training Programme (ITTP) laid the foundation for postcolonial teacher education, emphasizing learner-centered approaches, democracy, and nation-building. The Basic Education Teacher Diploma (BETD), introduced in the 1990s and phased out in 2012, is still held by many teachers in Namibia. However, the suitability of this qualification for teaching 21st-century learners is now being called into question.
As teaching qualifications evolve, it is crucial to professionalise the teaching field. This professionalisation will not only enhance the quality of education in Namibia but also improve global competitiveness and mobility, enabling Namibian teachers to qualify for opportunities in countries such as South Africa and Botswana. Should this be the case, unemployed teachers will have the opportunity to work abroad.
The Bill will also ensure that Namibia aligns with global and regional development agendas. For example, it supports Sustainable Development Goal 4, which aims to ensure inclusive, equitable, and quality education for all. Since 2015, Namibia has been a member of the Africa Federation of Teaching Regulatory Authorities (AFTRA), a continental body that supports the regulation of teaching across Africa. The bill also aligns with African Union frameworks, such as the Continental Framework of Standards and Competences for the Teaching Profession, the Continental Teacher Qualification Framework, and the Continental Guidelines for the Teaching Profession.
Embracing the future together
Namibia is making significant progress with the introduction of the Teaching Profession Bill. Current teachers need to recognise that this Bill is designed to serve the best interests of their learners, while also assuring parents that qualified, accountable, and registered professionals will teach their children. The proposed Teaching Profession Council will function similarly to other respected bodies such as the Law Society of Namibia (LSN), the Health Professions Council of Namibia (HPCNA), the Engineering Professions Association of Namibia (EPA), and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Namibia (ICAN).
I encourage all members of the teaching fraternity to actively participate in the consultative process and contribute positively to the development of this bill. Together with our parents, let us seize this opportunity to elevate the teaching profession and secure a brighter future for Namibia’s children.
*Haushiku Kemba is a parent and resident of Kagcuva village. He can be reached at khkemba@gmail.com