By:Dolly Menas
Education, arts and culture minister, Anna Nghipondoka, has said that parents are an important stakeholder in the education of their children and for the enhancement of education in Namibia, as they play a critical role in providing a learning bridge between school and the home.
Delivering the ministry’s message of encouragement for Senior Secondary Certificate Ordinary (NSSCO) level grade 11 and Advanced Subsidiary (AS) candidates for the 2022 national examinations last week, Nghipondoka said the role and significance of education must never be over-emphasised.
National examinations, she stressed, are important because they provide a basis for consideration to higher grades of secondary education, opportunities to tertiary institutions and employment.
She also noted that the national examination results are used as one of the most important barometers to evaluate progress made by the government in improving access, equity, inclusivity, efficiency, and the quality of teaching and learning outcomes.
“We as a ministry and the country at large say, we fully rally behind you knowing that you will give it your best effort and make us proud,” she said.
Nghipondoka promised that the unfortunate incidents of stolen exam papers that happened during the 2021 national examinations should not be repeated.
She pointed out that the ministry, in collaboration with law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders will have systems and processes in place to detect and bring the culprits to book.
Last year, examination papers meant for grades 11 and 12 were leaked, resulting in the rewriting of subjects.
The minister said by continuing to work together, education stakeholders can ensure a positive school experience for the exams candidates.
“Let us continue to ensure that our candidates receive due love, care, support, guidance, and protection as they write their national examinations because collectively, we have to ensure that they do not miss their appointment with the future,” she said.
Nghipondoka warned learners to be vigilant against bogus institutions that are not accredited with the Namibia Qualifications Authority (NQA), but who want to prey on and take advantage of the anxiety of students who are candidates for tertiary education.
“I have it on good authority that Namibia has over 60 institutions of higher learning which are NQA accredited and as learners, you should be spoilt for choice. Let us be vigilant and wary of fly-by-night and bogus institutions which offer none recognised qualifications,” she said.
Nghipondoka advised learners to take care of themselves and to avoid falling prey to the number of social ills that hover in their communities.
“Let us use this coming break to recuperate and re-energize so that we are ready for the next academic year. Let us enjoy ourselves responsibly, pray and ask for the guidance of the Almighty to be upon us,” she said.