Namibia is widely recognised as one of the leading countries in Southern Africa with a strong commitment to quality, inclusive education and training, which are seen as strong pillars for national development.
However, the education sector still grapples with several challenges.
The new curriculum has been blamed for a myriad of challenges and shocks which have gripped the basic education system.
A number of local reports show that at least 75% of the pupils who sat for the Ordinary Level (Grade 11) examinations in 2023 did not qualify for tertiary institutions or for the Advanced Subsidiary level, formally known as Grade 12.
As of February 2023, classrooms’ shortage stood at 2 837, and this has led to overcrowding at government schools.
The National Council’s Standing Committee on Education, Science, ICT and Youth Development stated that some schools have as many as between 40 and 70 pupils in a classroom.
By October 2023, the country had at least 653 schools with no electricity, with 167 of these public schools found in the Kavango East region. It is also alleged that at least 30 000 pupils have dropped out of school since 2020.
As Namibia holds Presidential and National Assembly elections on 27 November, 2024, New Era assessed what political parties say about education in their manifestos.
This publication focused specifically on the manifestos of the Swapo Party, the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM), Independent Patriots for Change (IPC), and Affirmative Repositioning (AR).
Swapo
Swapo has promised to fast-track the full integration of pre-primary (PP) and early childhood development (ECD) phases into the mainstream education system, and to formulate a framework to guide and regulate the delivery of ECD for a strong foundation.
The party reiterates its commitment to upgrade and renovate schools infrastructure, building additional special schools, classrooms, toilets, laboratories, hostels and sports facilities in areas with urgent needs to deliver high-quality education.
The ruling party further reveals its plans to review the operations of the Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund, and to enhance service delivery and increase funding for post-graduate students, including the provision for students with special needs.
Besides that, the party promises to accelerate the establishment of a regulatory body for the teaching profession across the country, and ensure quality education for all.
If given the mandate again, Swapo will expand offering pre-vocational subjects at school level; critically review the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) system to provide trades at appropriate levels; and establish techniques for articulation from vocational training centres (VTCs).
PDM
If voted into power, the PDM has promised to review and revise the education system. The official opposition in Parliament intends establishing a National Commission on Education to report in one year on the state of education and the needed reforms.
Based on the report, the party will implement a national education policy to meet the changing dynamics of the population’s requirements regarding quality education, innovation and research, aiming to make the nation knowledge-based by equipping its students with the necessary skills and knowledge, and eliminating the shortage of manpower in science and technology.
The party further promised to implement strong financial, human resources’ and infrastructural investments at early childhood and pre-primary levels which will lay a strong foundation for all pupils.
The party furthermore promised to establish a National Institute of Teacher Training which will provide four-year integrated courses with an intention to set the standards for quality teachers in schools.
Like Swapo, the PDM promised to make investments in school infrastructure a priority to ensure that all schools offering science subjects have well-equipped laboratories and libraries. The party further promised to build more schools to make education accessible to many disadvantaged pupils, especially in rural areas, and ensure that all schools have electricity, water and decent sanitation facilities.
One of the most striking new ideas is the PDM’s promise to provide free vocational and tertiary education. Their manifesto then highlights the importance of all pupils owning a solar-powered laptop to enhance performance.
Affirmative Repositioning
On the other hand, the AR plans to establish two more universities in the next 10 years. The party pledges to scrap the budget allocated to graduation ceremonies, and divert the funds to more productive exercises. If voted into power, the AR government will ensure that the higher education ministry is actively involved in gathering data pertaining to enrolment and graduation figures at all institutions of higher learning through a National Students Record Management System.
AR further said its government will ensure all institutions of higher learning implement work-intergraded learning modules in all their degree programmes. It also wants to revive and establish more research centres within public universities across various disciplines. Relatedly, through the National Commission on Research, Science and Technology, the AR government will ensure research chairs are established nationally, and researchers’ rating and reward systems are introduced.
Like the PDM, AR promises free education at public institutions of higher learning.
“The AR government will undertake a review process of the new curriculum, considering both positive and negative outcomes, with a view to effecting the necessary changes where need be,” reads their manifesto.
IPC
In their manifesto, the IPC envisions “a world-class education system that equips every Namibian with the knowledge, skills and values to thrive in a rapidly-changing global socio-economic environment.”
Among its key initiatives, the party promises infrastructure and resources’ modernisation. It also wants to expand vocational education and reform the curriculum, among other promises.
The IPC will invest at least N$5 billion of public funds, coupled with additional partner funds, on modernising schools’ infrastructure nationwide, with a priority on rural schools – if voted into power. The party promises access to electricity, internet and basic sanitation; the rollout of phased modern learning technologies; and smart classrooms to schools countrywide.
In terms of curriculum reform, they will introduce an entrepreneurship and digital skills curriculum at all secondary schools with the emphasis on science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics subjects.
Furthermore, the IPC promises to introduce compulsory courses on Namibian history, culture and civic education.
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