NQA Council urged to accelerate qualifications reforms

'Reforms critical'
Education minister Sanet Steenkamp says reforms must strengthen trust in Namibian qualifications, improve service delivery and keep pace with changing skills needs.
Ndapandula Lilonga
  • 6 Hours Ago

Education minister Sanet Steenkamp has urged the newly inaugurated Namibia Qualifications Authority (NQA) Council to fast-track reforms aimed at improving the credibility, quality and relevance of Namibia’s qualifications system.

Speaking at the council’s inaugural meeting in Windhoek, Steenkamp said its three-year term should focus on completing outstanding reforms and ensuring that qualifications obtained in Namibia remain trusted by learners, employers and education institutions. “Your appointment comes as an important national obligation to strengthen confidence in the Namibian qualification system,” she said.

Key priorities include reviewing the NQA’s legislative framework, implementing the National Policy on Qualifications Standards, finalising the National Policy on Microcredentials and modernising the National Qualifications Framework Information Management System and accreditation processes.

Steenkamp called on the council to approach these responsibilities with urgency and deliver measurable results.

The review of the NQA’s legislative framework began in April 2025, while the National Policy on Qualifications Standards was launched in March 2026. Consultations on the draft microcredentials policy were still under way in October, with public submissions due by 19 November.

Newly appointed council chairperson Colen Tuaundu said reviewing the National Qualifications Framework would be an immediate priority.

However, he raised concerns about the framework’s age and the consistency of policies applied to higher education institutions. “We need to clean our house first before we go into an institution and tell them that our policy is expired,” he said.

Tuaundu also identified appointing a permanent chief executive officer, improving service turnaround times, addressing audit findings and strengthening governance as key priorities.

Steenkamp acknowledged the authority’s consecutive unqualified audit outcomes, compliance with its Governance Scorecard and improved financial oversight. However, she stressed that these achievements must translate into tangible improvements in service delivery. “A qualification must carry meaning and credibility,” she said, adding that employers must have confidence in the skills and competencies represented by qualifications.

Tuaundu also highlighted the need for the qualifications system to respond to changing skills requirements and technological developments, including the use of artificial intelligence in higher education.

He called for guidelines to help institutions navigate these developments, as well as stronger digital systems to verify qualifications.

Steenkamp said collaboration between government, education institutions, employers, professional bodies, organised labour and learners would be essential to building a qualifications system that supports lifelong learning and responds to Namibia’s development priorities.