The Minister of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts, and Culture, Minister Sanet Steenkamp, has urged the new Namibia Qualifications Authority (NQA) Council to move fast in fixing the country's qualifications framework.
Speaking at the inauguration of the ninth NQA Council, Dr. Steenkamp said a credible and high-quality system is critical to meeting the demands of a changing economy.
Dr. Steenkamp stressed that the new leadership must work quickly to ensure local qualifications match current job market needs, adding that the new council's three-year term should focus on completing outstanding reforms and ensuring that qualifications obtained in Namibia remain trusted by learners, training institutions, and employers.
The minister added that students should be confident that their qualifications are recognized, while employers should be able to trust the competencies those qualifications represent.
“Your appointment comes as an important national obligation to strengthen the confidence in the Namibian qualification system and to ensure that the knowledge, the skills and the competencies acquired through education and training are truly recognized, credible and relevant to our country's development.”
The New Chairperson Colen Tuaundu stated that the council has identified and reviewed the National Qualifications Framework as one of its immediate priorities, saying the regulator must ensure its own framework remains relevant before demanding compliance from education institutions.
The council intends to move beyond good audit outcomes and focus on delivering measurable impact in Namibia's education and training sector.
“And I also wanted to add that, during the previous council, we received an unqualified audit report. But, Minister, we want to go a step further. We do not just want an unqualified audit report; we want to make an impact on society. We do not want to simply tick boxes; we want to make a real difference.”
NQA Acting Chief Executive Officer Harmoni Beukes explained.
“Your combined expertise, experience, and dedication will be crucial for ensuring sound governance, effective oversight, and the ongoing enhancement of quality assurance within the national qualification system.”