Tucna slams education ministry
OGONE TLHAGE
The Trade Union Congress of Namibia (Tucna) is blaming the ministry of education for the poor 2019 Grade 12 higher level results, saying the lack of support to schools that led to the regression.
Tucna president Mahongora Kavihuha said the lack of support that schools and teachers received from the line ministry led to the poor showing.
“There is a regression, there is no progression. That is because schools and teachers were left to make the most out of a bad situation; we have to thank the teachers for going out of their way. They need to be commended,” he said.
Kavihuha said materials such as schoolbooks that learners and teachers needed were delivered late. “The communication between the schools and the ministry was not there.”
According to him, the message coming from institutions of higher learning was not positive, in the light of the new high school curriculum that is in its implementation stage.
He further blasted the introduction of the new curriculum, which he said would not create more problems than solutions.
“This new curriculum leaves us with more challenges then solutions. From our side as Tucna we have engaged institutions of higher learning. We have found that they are only willing to take in prospective students for courses like your Bachelor of Arts degrees,” he said.
Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) treasurer Nico Smit also expressed disappointment with the Grade 12 results released.
“The PDM is deeply dismayed and saddened by the recently released exam results that showed once again that our education system is on the wrong track, with a significant drop in the number of learners who managed to achieve the required grade of 3 and above that will allow them to further their studies at a tertiary institution,” he said.
“It should be kept in mind that nothing has changed in our schools, as far as the skills of the teachers faced with this new situation is concerned.”
There has been a drop of almost 6% in Grade 12 candidates who qualified for university, while the number of ungraded candidates increased by almost three percentage points since last year.
More than 12 500 Grade 12 students who sat for the Namibia Senior Secondary Certificate (NSSC) higher level examinations qualified for university admission.
Of the 20 605 candidates who were registered for the grade 12 higher level exams this year, 66% qualified for university admission. Last year, 61% of 17 968 candidates qualified for further studies.
This was announced by deputy education minister Ester Anna Nghipondoka recently.
A total of 20 605 candidates - comprised of 18 649 full-time and 1 956 part-time candidates - registered for the NSSC higher level examinations.
The number of candidates increased by 2 637 or 12.8%, compared to 2018.
According to Nghipondoka the results did not meet the ministry’s expectations, particularly since 8.6% of the full-time candidates were ungraded.
The Trade Union Congress of Namibia (Tucna) is blaming the ministry of education for the poor 2019 Grade 12 higher level results, saying the lack of support to schools that led to the regression.
Tucna president Mahongora Kavihuha said the lack of support that schools and teachers received from the line ministry led to the poor showing.
“There is a regression, there is no progression. That is because schools and teachers were left to make the most out of a bad situation; we have to thank the teachers for going out of their way. They need to be commended,” he said.
Kavihuha said materials such as schoolbooks that learners and teachers needed were delivered late. “The communication between the schools and the ministry was not there.”
According to him, the message coming from institutions of higher learning was not positive, in the light of the new high school curriculum that is in its implementation stage.
He further blasted the introduction of the new curriculum, which he said would not create more problems than solutions.
“This new curriculum leaves us with more challenges then solutions. From our side as Tucna we have engaged institutions of higher learning. We have found that they are only willing to take in prospective students for courses like your Bachelor of Arts degrees,” he said.
Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) treasurer Nico Smit also expressed disappointment with the Grade 12 results released.
“The PDM is deeply dismayed and saddened by the recently released exam results that showed once again that our education system is on the wrong track, with a significant drop in the number of learners who managed to achieve the required grade of 3 and above that will allow them to further their studies at a tertiary institution,” he said.
“It should be kept in mind that nothing has changed in our schools, as far as the skills of the teachers faced with this new situation is concerned.”
There has been a drop of almost 6% in Grade 12 candidates who qualified for university, while the number of ungraded candidates increased by almost three percentage points since last year.
More than 12 500 Grade 12 students who sat for the Namibia Senior Secondary Certificate (NSSC) higher level examinations qualified for university admission.
Of the 20 605 candidates who were registered for the grade 12 higher level exams this year, 66% qualified for university admission. Last year, 61% of 17 968 candidates qualified for further studies.
This was announced by deputy education minister Ester Anna Nghipondoka recently.
A total of 20 605 candidates - comprised of 18 649 full-time and 1 956 part-time candidates - registered for the NSSC higher level examinations.
The number of candidates increased by 2 637 or 12.8%, compared to 2018.
According to Nghipondoka the results did not meet the ministry’s expectations, particularly since 8.6% of the full-time candidates were ungraded.
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