Africa-Press – Namibia. The Minister of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture, Sanet Steenkamp, has urged stakeholders across her ministry’s six portfolios to create synergies that ensure quality and high-standard service delivery.
She paid a visit to the //Kharas and Hardap regions earlier this week.
While visiting the NIMT campus, Steenkamp emphasised the importance of accountability within education systems, calling on stakeholders to be open when facing challenges, particularly those stemming from a lack of leadership.
“It is imperative that officials in the regions be stringent and literally get into schools to establish better relationships. This is not an option – it is a must,” she said.
Referring to the availability of government funding for further studies, Steenkamp said she wanted Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF) mobile teams to visit the regions and register qualifying pupils, with the assistance of school principals.
She also called on other educational institutions to join hands with the //Kharas education directorate to ensure the delivery of quality education.
During a visit to the Unam southern campus, she commended the community for their active involvement in supporting the institution.
“It is truly an achievement to see people who are committed to empowerment and prosperity, and who are determined to overcome poverty and other barriers preventing the community from living a dignified life, laying the foundation for the university,” she added.
At the Keetmanshoop Vocational Training Centre (KVTC), the minister expressed confidence that with further collaboration with similar vocational entities, the centre could become a model of excellence.
“It is my recommendation that the first intake of 175 trainees should come from the //Kharas and Hardap regions, while the rest of the country should be catered for in subsequent intakes,” she said.
Steenkamp further advised that the first group of graduates should be prioritised for absorption into the oil, gas and green hydrogen industries before other sectors are considered.
“You should establish an organisational culture at the KVTC by being responsive to your own needs, and by having a clear plan and vision in place for how to run the centre successfully,” she advised.
The minister also acknowledged the hard work, commitment, and dedication of all role-players in the region’s education sector.
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