Over 3 000 VTC instructors not qualified: Kandjii-Murangi

WINDHOEK, 29 OCT – Over 3 000 active vocational training centre (VTC) instructors in Namibia are either underqualified or unqualified, Minister of Higher Education, Training and Innovation Itah Kandjii-Murangi has said.

Speaking at a courtesy call event by Finnish Minister of Economic Affairs, Mika Lintila and his delegation here on Monday, Kandjii-Murangi said transformation of vocational education is a pillar that can address social inequalities but requires qualified, experienced and committed instructors.

She noted that in order to realise the transformation, there is a need to upskill and upgrade the instructors.
Kandjii-Murangi further noted that currently, the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) has been tasked with a new faculty of steward education, which will focus on the training of instructors.

“This faculty requires different partnerships and engagement of experts in the area of steward education, who can really help to lay the necessary foundation on instructor training,” she said.

She said NUST currently offers steward training at a degree level, which is only recognised locally and regionally, therefore there is a need for steward qualifications to be recognised internationally.

“Any education system can claim to be the best but if it does not streamline in the aspect of quality assurance, then it lacks the aspect of being recognised globally.”

Kandjii-Murangi appealed to the Finnish government to work with Namibia through a programme of retired technical and vocational education and training (TVET) instructors from that country to lay the foundation for quality instructors’ qualifications.

At the same occasion, Lintila said Namibia and Finland share the same element of quality education from early childhood to higher education.
“Namibia and Finland have a long history of 150 years. We look forward for further engagement on the already existing cooperation,” he noted.
(NAMPA)