SPYL concerned about education

SPYL concerned about education The Swapo Party Youth League (SPYL) secretary for education, pioneers' movement and culture, Hofni Iipinge, wants the government to address a number of issues facing the education sector.

Some of the issues Iipinge is concerned about are the more than 18 000 learners who failed grade 10 last year, the lack of hostel accommodation at government schools as well as the Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF) saga.

Iipinge has called on the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture to allow the grade 10 learners who failed with 20 to 22 points and whose parents cannot afford the Namibian College of Open Learning (Namcol) enrolment fees to be allowed repeat the grade.

Last year the ministry allowed those learners who failed grade 10 and were 17 years old or younger to register on the first day of school.

Recently Namcol publicly announced that the number of spaces for registration of subjects was limited due to limited resources.

“The question we as stakeholders in education should ask ourselves is where will the over 18 000 learners go? This is why the SPYL secretary for education is requesting from government through the line ministry to address the issue and avoid these learners from ending in the streets,” Iipinge said.

Iipinge also called on companies to construct vocational training centres in the regions in order to absorb learners who do not get the opportunity to further their studies.

“We all have a role to play in educating the Namibian child. That is why I am challenging corporate companies to build vocational training centres in all regions as this will have a good impact on the economy of the country and also reduce poverty,” Iipinge said.

Late last year it was reported that the government was contemplating plans to return the embattled NSFAF to the Ministry of Higher Education, Training and Innovation because of corruption claims and the manner in which the fund was being run.

Iipinge said that was not a solution. He said the government should investigate NSFAF and based on its findings it should act accordingly and rectify the issues.

KENYA KAMBOWE