Khorixas Hosts National Consultation on Namibia’s Draft Teaching Profession Bill

Khorixas Hosts National Consultation on Namibia’s Draft Teaching Profession Bill. The Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture (MEIYSAC) continued its nationwide consultations on the Draft Teaching Profession Bill and accompanying Regulations with a regional engagement in Khorixas, Kunene Region. The session brought together teachers, traditional leaders, community members, and education stakeholders to deliberate on the professionalisation of teaching in Namibia

Mr. Petrus Shipalanga, Deputy Director for Programmes and Quality Assurance in the Kunene Region, officially opened the session, expressing appreciation to the Ministry for prioritising inclusive participation. He urged attendees to engage meaningfully, listen carefully, and provide valuable insights that would help refine the draft legislation.

Reflecting on Namibia’s education reform path, Mr. Shipalanga recalled the Education and Training Sector Improvement Programme (ETSIP) launched in 2005, which aimed to strengthen education quality and align it with Vision 2030. The programme led to the creation of the National Professional Standards for Teachers — a framework that enhances teacher competence in both subject knowledge and pedagogy.

He further noted that during the 2022 National Conference on Education, the teaching profession was identified as one of five key thematic focus areas. The conference produced 43 recommendations aimed at elevating the profession through structured professionalisation and accountability measures.

“The ongoing consultations on the Draft Teaching Profession Bill represent a significant step in translating those recommendations into action,” Mr. Shipalanga stated. “We have gathered here to give our inputs and ensure the Bill reflects the collective voice of educators.”

To date, MEIYSAC has completed consultations in 11 of Namibia’s 14 regions. The Ministry expects to finalise the process next week, underscoring its commitment to inclusive policy development and the empowerment of teachers across the nation.