The Higher Education Landscape in NamibiaAina Ndatitangi Indongo

Accreditation, Assessment & Audit OfficerNamibia Qualifications Authority (NQA)

Background of the Educational System in Namibia

• Education in Namibia is compulsory for ten years between the ages of 6 and 16.

• Higher education in Namibia started in in 1980.• Public providers has its roots in in the establishment of

the academy for tertiary education by Act No 13 of 1980.

Background of the Education System in Namibia Continue…

Higher education in Namibia is guided by:

• Namibia Qualifications Act 29 of 1996• Higher Education and Training VET) Act No 1 of 2008• University of Namibia (UNAM) Act 18 0f 1992• Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) Act 33

of 1994 which was amended in 2015.

Background of the Education System in Namibia Continue..• After independence in 1990 the new government of the

republic of Namibia (GRN) set about to create one unified structure for education administration. Currently, Namibia allocates more than 20% of its national budget to education.

• This represents six to seven percent of Namibia’s total GDP and is one of the three (3) countries with the highest percentage of GDP directed toward education in the world.

Background of the Education System in Namibia Continue..• Education institution in Namibia and their portfolios are

accredited by the Namibia Qualifications Authority (NQA).This institution evaluates and accredits national institutions and degrees as well as foreign qualifications of people who wish to demonstrate the national equivalence of their degrees earned abroad.

• Curriculum Development, educational research and professional development of school teachers is centrally organized by the National Institute for Educational Development (NIED).

Public Higher Education Providers in Namibia

• Public providers has its roots in the establishment of the academy for tertiary education by Act No 13 of 1980.

• There are two (2) public tertiary providers in Namibia namely:

the University of Namibia (UNAM) Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST)

• Public institutions are fully funded by the government.

Public Higher Education Providers in Namibia Continue…

• The University of Namibia (UNAM) was established by an Act of Parliament on August 31, 1992 as recommended by a Commission on Higher Education. Thus, a unique confluence bound the birth of the new nation in 1990 with that of the University of Namibia.

• The vision of the University of Namibia is “to provide quality higher education through teaching, research and advisory services to our customers with the view to produce productive and competitive human resources capable of driving public and private institutions towards a knowledge-based economy, economic growth and improved quality of life”.

Public Higher Education Providers in Namibia Continue…• The mission of the University of Namibia is said to “be a beacon

of excellence and innovation in teaching, research and extension services”.

• The mission of NUST is to creatively meeting the needs of students, society and economy through multiple pathways for excellent education, applied research, innovation and service in collaboration with stakeholders.

• The vision of NUST is preparing leaders for the knowledge of economy.

Private Higher Education Providers in Namibia • There are quite a number of private institutions in Namibia

namely: the international university of Management (IUM), Monitronic success College and Triumphant College among others

• Private provider’s main source of income is generated from student fees.

• There are currently 41 providers accredited by the Namibia qualifications authority (NQA), however accreditation is not compulsory for now. The government also does fund students from private providers through a government grant.

Private Higher Education Providers in Namibia Continue…• IUM’s vision is to encourage and develop a management

cadre of men and women who can operate at international standards in business.

• Monitronic Success College is developing its capacity, resources and teaching/learning modes to attain international standards and become the first choice of students.

• Triumphant College was established in 2006. Its establishment to a great extent, derives from Namibia vision 2030, which identifies education Science and Technology as one of it driving forces in achieving the national goals.

Regulatory Frameworks In NamibiaThere are two regulatory framework namely:

• Namibia Qualifications Authority (NQA)• National Council for High Education (NCHE)

Regulatory Frameworks In Namibia Continue…

• The NQA was established through by an act of parliament (No. 29 of 1996). Its vision is a globally reputable qualifications authority empowering people in Namibia.

• Its mission is to sustain a dynamic national framework that assures quality qualifications through credible recognition of quality learning.

THANK VERY MUCH!

Regulatory Frameworks In Namibia Continue…Factors contributing to the establishment of the NQA:

• A number of significant events and trends influenced the policy developments leading to the establishment of the NQA. Included amongst these were:

• the need to redress inequities and imbalances arising from the colonial and apartheid regimes prior to Namibia securing independence

• the emergence of the global economy where services and goods were traded commodities on an enlarged and more open market

• the emergence of the knowledge-based society were the intellectual skills of a nation’s people became the factor most influencing competitive advantage

• an increasingly competitive economic sector where the cost of any unnecessary retraining of graduates often cut profit margins below those that allowed sustained existence in the market

• an increasingly wealthy and mobile global population with access to wider and more flexible education options.

Regulatory Frameworks In Namibia Continue…The National Council for Higher Education (NCHE):

• The National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) was established by Act of Parliament (Act No. 26 of 2003) to advise the government on issues related to higher education.

• The vision statement is a leader in coordinating higher education in pursuit of a knowledge-based society

Regulatory Frameworks In Namibia Continue…The NCHE is responsible for:

• Accrediting, with the concurrence of the Namibia Qualifications Authority (NQA), programmes of higher education provided at higher education institutions;

• Monitoring the quality assurance mechanisms of higher education institutions;• Taking measures to promote access of students to higher education institutions;• Undertaking such research with regard to its objects as it may think necessary or

as the Minister of Education may require;• Performing such other functions as may be entrusted to the NCHE by or under this

Act.

Qualifications Frameworks

• The notion of a National Qualifications Framework was formalized through Cabinet decisions in 1994 that led to the creation of the Namibia Qualifications Authority.

• The National Qualifications Framework is intended to be a register of all relevant and legal qualifications in Namibia. The NQF represents a set of agreements, rules and requirements that will:

Qualifications Frameworks Continue…• Promote the consistent use of qualification titles• Provide people with a clearer understanding of what a person holding a

particular qualification has achieved• Assist people determine the similarities and differences between

qualifications in Namibia• Improve the harmonization of the different education and training sectors,

and their alignment with the worlds of work• Give people greater assurance of the quality of education, training and

assessment in Namibia• Enhance the reputation of Namibia’s education and training systems in

the regional, continental and international communities.

Qualifications Frameworks Continue…

Observations• The Namibia education system is experiencing many obstacles.• It is faced with serious weaknesses in the provision of education

to all.• The quality of education, quality of teachers and the

performance of learners is unsatisfactory.• The currently introduced free education is a major challenge.

ConclusionIn conclusion, it could be said Namibia is busy addressing the duplications of duties between regulatory bodies. Major challenges facing the education system are looked into.Factors affecting private providers are to be addressed as well. The issue of accreditation is also in processes where by acts are under review