Hanse-Himarwa tables new Education Bill

WINDHOEK, 20 SEP – Basic Education, Arts and Culture Minister Katrina Hanse-Himarwa on Wednesday tabled a draft legislation in the National Assembly which if passed into law, will replace the Education Act of 2001 to better reflect Namibia’s development aspirations.
Motivating the draft New Basic Education Bill, the minister said it seeks to align education to Namibia’s development endeavours.
“This new Act will better reflect the aims of Namibia’s national development plans, Vision 2030, the Harambee Prosperity Plan as well as the country’s global and continental commitments under the new Sustainable Development Goals and the Continental Education Strategy for Africa,” Hanse-Himarwa told a fully-packed chamber.
The projected law stems from the 2011 National Education Conference, which proposed that the 2001 Education Act be reviewed.
In addition, the proposed legislation seeks to address the shortcomings of the existing Education Act, while responding to current challenges faced by the sector.
A specific flaw in the current Act is that it does not place sufficient emphasis on Early Childhood Development (ECD), the minister pointed out.
“This Bill places the learner in the centre, by, among other things promoting integrated ECD, providing universal free education and protecting learners with special needs and disabilities,” she expounded.
Hanse-Himarwa noted that her ministry is currently engaged in reforms with a strong focus on access to quality education for the most vulnerable children, particularly those with disabilities and other special needs.
The Bill also seeks to promote and regulate free and compulsory basic education while ensuring inclusive quality education and lifelong learning.
More so, it aims to promote and protect the right of learners to education.
If enacted, the Bill will make provision for the establishment of the National Advisory Council on Education, regional education forums, the National Examination, Assessment and Certification Board and the Education Development Fund.
It further makes provision for the establishment, accreditation, registration, governance and management of State and private schools and hostels.
Hanse-Himarwa described the process leading up to the draft Bill as the most consultative and inclusive in Namibia since 1990. She said the ministry held regional town hall meetings in 28 towns, which were attended by over 2 000 members of the public.
In total, the Bill drew input from 69 000 people, statistics provided by the ministry show.
This is something that other ministries ought to mimic and emulate in the law making process, Hanse-Himarwa said.  – NAMPA