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An antidote for Bantu education

The ministry of Education is calling for a complete overhaul of the current education system. The new curriculum will be full swing by 2050.
The new curriculum will include Mother tongue instruction, an additional 13th grade, being able to exit at the eleventh grade with a recognised certificate, opportunity for a training diploma at Namibian Qualification Level 6 or enrolment in formal employment. Restrictions on  repeating a grade and a higher A-level examination for 13th graders.
The earliest date of implementation is set for 2019, while next year the junior primary phase will include Maths, Environment Studies and Physical Education. While Grade 5 to 7 will include mother tongue instruction,  pre-vocational subjects, Elementary Agriculture, Design and Technology, Home Ecology and Information and Communication.
With that said, the clichéd claim that education is a fundamental pillar in any countries national development agenda and forms part of every individuals road to self actualisation.
 The Vocational trading levy is projected to record surplus in its target for the Vocational Training Fund. N$60 million has been collected so far with partnerships with employers in offering  some of the training.
The above is a positive move in preparing the future youth with a robust educational system
 The Namibia Statistic Agency said this week that future population growth will increase by 700,000 thousand by year 2030.
The Ministry of Education has just touched based by declaring free universal education. Together with  the long term plan of curriculum new changes with 21 million budgeted for the 2015/16  of the next seven years. This is a bold step in curing the remnants of Bantu education. A system whose modus operandi left minds docile.

Yet, the current education system leaves much to be desired, as populations gradual go through the education system.
The laissez faire attitude impression created by the response to rising issues such as government funding for students at institutions, government funding students with lower entry marks at foreign    l tertiary institutions with doubtful accreditation, Unam Medical School lack of accreditation and rushing of students to graduate, degrading infrastructure of once private now government schools, issues of conflict of interest by the Education Minister, seem to be showing cracks in the foundation being built.
Other role players such as the Katutura based Physically Active Youth Namibia, a program addressing the physical, academic, personal development and community involvement of today’s youth. This organisation is doing incredible things making sure none of the kids who enrol fall through the cracks.
The donor funding agency, the Millennium Challenge Account boosting school infrastructure in rural areas and encouraging ICT adoption early on.
With the future economy of the country having to to rely more on knowledge based practices the young minds at PAYE will with no doubt grasp the concept of ICTs early on. Armed with the conviction of personal achievement instilled by teaching staff whom many volunteer.
Education is not a calling for all, so the question arises also of what calibre of teacher and parent is tasked with Namibia’s future aspirations.

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