Education Minister Promises Turnaround

Catherine Sasman

27 April 2011

A serious change of mind-set, and an “agile, lean and responsive” team are the changes needed to improve the education sector, vowed Minister Abraham Iyambo.

The firebrand minister said work ethic and accountability would be elevated, and promised a hands-on approach throughout the year.

Despite major investments, he acknowledged, outputs in the sector have remained disappointing, blaming absenteeism and lack of commitment from some teachers, professional staff and learners.

The minister also lamented lackadaisical involvement of parents in their children’s education, complaining that discipline and moral decay negatively impacts on educational achievements.

He said this is evident from the 1 400 learners who dropped out of school as a result of pregnancy last year.

An even bigger concern is the large number of Grade 10 drop outs, swelling the youth unemployed figure to 67 per cent.

The education budget will receive an increase of 28,2 per cent this year to more than N$8 billion, which includes an added N$91 million donor support for the Education and Training Sector Improvement Programme (ETSIP).

The budget is distributed among the 13 regional directorates that will receive N$5,7 billion, more than N$1 billion for the sector’s head quarters, and a further N$1,3 billion to State-Owned Enterprises.

The bulk of the budget would go to general education (N$6,3 billion), of which N$3,7 billion goes toward the salaries of the 22 063 teachers.

It will also address the shortfall in ‘bush allowances’ during last year, as well as the appointment of new teachers recruited for an expanded curriculum.

An allocation of N$245 million was made for adult, information and lifelong learning, an increase of 47,4 per cent. Of this, more than N$71 million goes towards the Namibia College of Open Learning (NAMCOL).

The ministry has similarly increased its allocation to the vocational and training sector by 39,1 per cent, now totalling more about N$261,8 million.

Part of this allocation is for the newly established vocational training centres (VTCs) at Eenhana in Ohangwena and Nakayale in Omusati.

Through the Namibia Training Authority (NTA), the ministry has also started with construction of VTCs at Gobabis and Keetmanshoop. Completion of these are anticipated in 2013.

The former Loudima Technical Secondary School is being rehabilitated at a cost of N$10 million during the new financial year. This is done in conjunction with the Government of Congo, and once ready, will admit learners from the Congo and Namibia.

The tertiary training sector will receive N$1,4 billion, which is an increase of 40,2 per cent.

UNAM will receive an allocation of N$721,4 million. The main reason for the increase, is the N$145 million for the School of Medicine, and N$57 million to the Faculty of Engineering.

The allocation to the Polytechnic of Namibia has also increased by 77,5 per cent to N$308 million for an expansion of courses, infrastructure and personnel.

Iyambo said the request for a name change of the Polytechnic to the University of Science and Technology is still under consideration.

Cabinet has requested the ministry to carry out a study in this regard. It will be undertaken by the Council for Higher Education during this year.

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