The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, Science, ICT and Youth Development concluded the first of its two-part oversight visit to various regions to assess the causes of the failure rate of learners who sat for the Namibia Senior Secondary Certificate Ordinary Level (NSSCO) and the Namibia Senior Secondary Certificate Advanced Subsidiary (NSSCAS) levels in the 2022 academic year. The exercise kicked off on Monday, 31 July 2023 and saw the Committee engage various stakeholders in the education sector in the Kunene, Oshana, Omusati, Ohangwena, Kavango East, Kavango West and finally, the Zambezi regions were activities came to a close on the 21st of August 2023.
The targeted engagements with key stakeholders included parents and learners, respective regional education directorates, school management, civil society organisations, faith based organisations, traditional leaders and various other players in the education fraternity. Chief amongst the issues raised was the implementation of the new curriculum, automatic promotion of learners, lack of textbooks and other science apparatus, insufficient teacher training, lack of hostel accommodation and overcrowded classrooms, amongst others. The second leg of the oversight is expected to commence mid-September and will cover selected remaining regions. The Committee will then present the report to the National Council for deliberations and adoption, after which recommendations derived from the report will be forwarded to respective organizations, Ministries and agencies for possible implementation.
The oversight visits stem from the 7th Session of the 6th National Council, held from the 13th to the 17th of February 2023, which deliberated and resolved on the high failure rate of learners who set for the 2022 national examinations for NSSCO and NSSCAS levels. The House unanimously agreed that the Standing Committee on Education, Science, ICT and Youth Development formally investigate the cause for the high failure rate and report on the same. The six- member Committee is chaired by Hon. Olivia Tuyenikelao Hanghuwo, deputized by Hon. Bethuel Tjaveondja and comprises Hon. Deriou Benson, Hon. Kosmas Katura, Hon. Jeremias Goeieman and Hon. Sakeus Nangula.
