Reliable data required
The deputy executive director for the ministry of education, arts and culture, Edda Bohn, says the ministry is doing all it can to make up for a lack of census data.
Census postponement irks education ministry
The education ministry’s deputy executive director Edda Bohn says the further postponement of the national census is inhibiting the ministry’s ability to account for the next generation of learners.
“We generally expect 60 000 to 80 000 births per year, but with the census not being hosted, we are just waiting to see what will happen. It is good to know the birth rates and household situations,” she said.
She added that the ministry is working closely with the ministry of home affairs and immigration to determine birth rates and thus give an indication of the necessary preparation measures to be taken.
Internal reports and enquiries done by the ministry on a regular basis add colour to the ministry’s planning efforts, but more important indicators cannot be determined within schools, she said.
“We will manage, but we could do with more reliable figures. We cannot be sure that all learners who should have been enrolled have been enrolled,” Bohn said.
She added that the lack of a census inhibits the ministry’s co-operation with the United Nations (UN).
“We need to report the various indicators to the UN, but without the census, we can only give them the information from our internal education census,” she said.
Jarring statistics
According to Bohn, the ministry’s internal data suggests that 25% of learners are stunted due to malnutrition.
“We know that the first 1 000 days of a child’s life are extremely important and the importance of proper nutrition cannot be understated,” she said.
Bohn further noted the 8 817 learners who had to repeat a grade this year.
“Repetition is a cost driver in schools and this is somewhat overwhelming to our teachers and our system because it places strain on the system,” she said.
According to a recent assessment by the ministry, space in schools remains a major headache to the ministry. Bohn said swift action was taken to alleviate this problem.
“We have started building classroom blocks at various schools and we will be ready within the next two years.”
The ministry is also currently addressing the dire need for schools that offer the Advanced Subsidiary level in the Kavango West Region.
“We generally expect 60 000 to 80 000 births per year, but with the census not being hosted, we are just waiting to see what will happen. It is good to know the birth rates and household situations,” she said.
She added that the ministry is working closely with the ministry of home affairs and immigration to determine birth rates and thus give an indication of the necessary preparation measures to be taken.
Internal reports and enquiries done by the ministry on a regular basis add colour to the ministry’s planning efforts, but more important indicators cannot be determined within schools, she said.
“We will manage, but we could do with more reliable figures. We cannot be sure that all learners who should have been enrolled have been enrolled,” Bohn said.
She added that the lack of a census inhibits the ministry’s co-operation with the United Nations (UN).
“We need to report the various indicators to the UN, but without the census, we can only give them the information from our internal education census,” she said.
Jarring statistics
According to Bohn, the ministry’s internal data suggests that 25% of learners are stunted due to malnutrition.
“We know that the first 1 000 days of a child’s life are extremely important and the importance of proper nutrition cannot be understated,” she said.
Bohn further noted the 8 817 learners who had to repeat a grade this year.
“Repetition is a cost driver in schools and this is somewhat overwhelming to our teachers and our system because it places strain on the system,” she said.
According to a recent assessment by the ministry, space in schools remains a major headache to the ministry. Bohn said swift action was taken to alleviate this problem.
“We have started building classroom blocks at various schools and we will be ready within the next two years.”
The ministry is also currently addressing the dire need for schools that offer the Advanced Subsidiary level in the Kavango West Region.
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article