THE Namibia Qualifications Authority (NQA) last week appealed to teachers, parents, students and all other stakeholders in education to help them in the drafting of professional standards for teachers.
The NQA, the body legally responsible for setting local standards
for occupations and positions, is currently developing new teaching
quality levels to go along with the country's envisioned improved
education system ETSIP (Education and Training Sector Improvement
Programme).
The NQA's task was divided into three phases, and on Wednesday
Director Franz Gertze revealed that phase one had recently been
completed.

In a statement also released last week, the body said that the
competency standards just completed should be considered a draft
though, as more input was needed from a broader community.

"The multiplicity of role players and stakeholders in education
and training requires that the NQA should, when developing
standards, adopt an inclusive and consultative approach.

The NQA therefore invites comments on the draft standards from
all our social partners including but not limited to teachers,
parents, employers, unions, teacher education institutions and
learners," the institution said.

The deadline for comments or recommendations is July 28, and a
workshop is scheduled for August 1 where the inclusion of these
recommendations will be discussed.

Copies of the complete standards are available at the NQA
offices in Windhoek, and more information can be obtained by
phoning (061) 27 1083.

Members of the National Standards Setting Body (NSSB) are to
start visiting the main towns in each region soon to make sure
everyone is informed about the new teaching standards, Gertze
said.

The completed phase include professional standards for different
subjects, as well as qualifications that will be registered on the
National Qualifications Framework.

The NQA's task was divided into three phases, and on Wednesday
Director Franz Gertze revealed that phase one had recently been
completed.In a statement also released last week, the body said
that the competency standards just completed should be considered a
draft though, as more input was needed from a broader
community."The multiplicity of role players and stakeholders in
education and training requires that the NQA should, when
developing standards, adopt an inclusive and consultative
approach.The NQA therefore invites comments on the draft standards
from all our social partners including but not limited to teachers,
parents, employers, unions, teacher education institutions and
learners," the institution said.The deadline for comments or
recommendations is July 28, and a workshop is scheduled for August
1 where the inclusion of these recommendations will be
discussed.Copies of the complete standards are available at the NQA
offices in Windhoek, and more information can be obtained by
phoning (061) 27 1083.Members of the National Standards Setting
Body (NSSB) are to start visiting the main towns in each region
soon to make sure everyone is informed about the new teaching
standards, Gertze said.The completed phase include professional
standards for different subjects, as well as qualifications that
will be registered on the National Qualifications Framework.