Inaugural meeting of NACE council

Twenty-four new members of the NACE have been chosen to assist the minister of education to ensure quality within the education sector.
Mariselle Stofberg
Mariselle Stofberg

On Friday, 30 October the inaugural meeting of the fourth National Advisory Council on Education (NACE) was held at the head office of the ministry of education, arts and culture in Windhoek.

Twenty-four members from different agencies, organisations, regional councils and institutions have been appointed to serve on the council for three years, to 30 September 2023.

Ester Nghipondoka, the minister of education, arts and culture, emphasised the importance of the council in ensuring the quality of the education sector in Namibia.

“Education is a shared and complex endeavour which cannot be accomplished by the minister of education alone. There is a need to interact with a wide representation of stakeholders, such as this council, who understand the educational needs and aspirations of the nation at large,” she added.

Nghipondoka added that with stakeholders who are better placed to advise and are actively involved, it is possible to move forward and continue to build on the quality of the education sector.

“As members, your advice is expected to be well grounded and thought through, both on policy formulation and implementation. Your advice should take into account the whole education sector with the required cultural diversity and paradigm of inclusivity of education for all,” Nghipondoka said.

She said she expects council members to familiarise themselves with all legal frameworks and policies governing education and training systems as well as identify gaps in policy frameworks and implementation processes.

“Education is a dynamic and multi-faceted process. It should take into account all relevant ingredients for positive educational development or every learner to unleash their full potential and development that is necessary for our country’s progress towards attaining Vision 2030,” Nghipondoka added.

The council members are:

Edda Bohn (MoEAC)

Dr Aune Victor (Unicef)

Dr John Nyambe (University of Namibia)

Rosina //Hoabes (Council of Traditional Leaders)

Colette Rieckert (Private Schools Association)

Lasarus Nghitilwamelo Ngube (Representative bodies of churches-CCN)

Daniel Trum (National Employers organisation-NOFPD)

Loide Simaneka Shaanika (Nantu)

Malcolm Kambanzera (Nanso)

Daan Strauss (National Employers Federation)

From regions

Pastor Rachel Ndokotola (Otjozondjupa)

Alfred Ilukena (Zambezi)

Leonard Nekwaya (Omusati)

Loide Shipanga (Ohangwena)

Reverend Katherine |Goagoseb (||Kharas)

Karukirue Tjienda (Omaheke)

Mercia Sylfia Markus (Hardap)

Dr Helena Miranda (Oshana)

Dr Johannes Haufiku (Oshikoto)

Engelbert Muyenga (Kavango East)

Philips Sepuka (Kavango West)

Ester Shitana (Khomas)

Florencia !Noabes (Erongo)

Reginald Roman (Kunene)