Much Expected From Education Conference

Mathias Haufiku

24 June 2011

Windhoek — With poor learning outcomes at all levels and inequitable access to quality education provision, the Namibian education and training system is perceived as having little relevance to the economy, a matter which prompted the Ministry of Education to initiate the upcoming National Conference on Education.

The National Conference on Education is scheduled to run from June 27 to July 01 under the theme “Collective delivery of the Education Promise: Improving the Education and Training System for Quality Learning Outcomes and Quality of Life”.

The conference will be attended by education experts from countries where the education system is working such as Russia, Finland and representatives from the World Bank will also attend the conference to share their knowledge and expertise.

Its primary aim is to provide a platform for all stakeholders to interrogate the education system in Namibia and contribute towards improved learning outcomes.

According to the Ministry of Education, the current training and education system does not meet the challenges of the 21st century or support the attainment of national development goals and aspirations of the Vision 2030.

“The training system has little relevance to the economy, therefore, providing little capacity for knowledge creation and innovation,” said the Ministry.

The conference is expected to provide an in-depth analysis of the current state of the Namibian education and training system at all levels and identify deficiencies in the current education and training system.

The Ministry will also pursue to seek consensus on major and large areas in need of improvement to ensure quality education.

In an interview with New Era, Minister of Education, Dr Abraham Iyambo, urged all Namibians that will attend the National Conference on Education to “set their political differences aside and focus on the job at hand”.

“This conference will cost taxpayers money, which means those of you attending, must come knowing you will work and not socialize,” he said.

Iyambo also added that education is a challenge, because it relates to everyone in the country, therefore the conference should serve as a platform to come up with an implementable roadmap depending on the contributions made during the conference.

Iyambo also made it clear that an initial framework has been outlined for a Road Map to reform the education system, therefore all speakers during the conference should have recommendations and possible actions that should be taken in order to contribute to the Road Map which he will present to cabinet.

“I don’t want politics in education, it should have its side, therefore we have invited members from all opposition parties to attend the conference and give their input,” he said.

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