Education Transformation Gains Momentum with Reform Strategy Implementation

Education Transformation Gains Momentum with Reform Strategy Implementation

The Education, Arts, and Culture ministry has unveiled its 7-year Implementation Plan for the Education Reform Strategy. The plan follows recommendations from the 2022 National Conference on Education, Arts, and Culture, aiming to address systemic challenges in the sector. Key objectives include infrastructure upgrades, curriculum modernization, and digital learning expansion to enhance equitable access. The ministry also emphasizes professionalizing teaching to improve the quality of education across all levels.

November 22, 2024 8

South Africa

S.A. Begins Implementing Basic Education Laws Amendment Act

S.A's Basic Education minister Siviwe Gwarube says her department has started with the implementation of the Basic Education Laws Amendment Act. President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the Act into law in September but agreed to hold the implementation of two contentious clauses while discussions take place around addressing the impasse. Gwarube says they are still awaiting the presidential-led process on clauses four and five, which deal with language and admission policies: […]

November 7, 2024 22

Namibia

LPM’s Mootu Criticizes Mid-Term Budget as “Missed Opportunity”

Utaara Mootu of the Landless People's Movement criticized the mid-term budget, calling it insufficient for addressing the nation's pressing economic and social issues. She raised concerns about delayed unemployment data, claiming it leaves voters uninformed. Mootu emphasized that housing, education, agriculture, electrification, and SME support require urgent, transformative action rather than continued promises. She concluded by urging the government to prioritize meaningful reforms that provide justice and dignity to citizens. […]

October 31, 2024 17

Science & Technology

Is AI a Blessing or a Curse? Ronald Sangunji Weighs In

By Dilia Mazula As the tech industry progresses, it triggers questions and debates regarding the potential risks, particularly concerning AI. Fears mount over the potential harm that could arise if AI falls into the wrong hands and is wielded for malicious purposes. Numerous online reports have investigated AI's capacity to manipulate and potentially deceive humans, with Deepfakes emerging as a concerning trend. Governments are increasingly apprehensive about […]

May 15, 2024 65

Namibia

Oshikoto region considers trimester system return for schools

The Directorate of Education, Arts, and Culture in the Oshikoto region and its stakeholders have proposed the re-introduction of a trimester system for schools from 2025 onwards. The concerns of the semester revolve around the length of the semester, fatigue among learners, and difficulty in curriculum planning. Here is the Executive Director of the Ministry Sanet Steenkamp.

May 13, 2024 72

Africa

Should Kenya abolish all school exams? Expert sets out five reasons why they’re still useful

By Beatrice M’mboga Akala, University of the Witwatersrand The role of examinations in Kenyan schools is under scrutiny. This is because there is a lot that is wrong with the country’s examinations, a situation that threatens to derail education gains made over the decades. For instance, for two consecutive years – last year and the year before – the periods during the country’s national examination period were marred by […]

January 18, 2024 15

Namibia

Education ministry raises compulsory school age

The Ministry of Education has implemented the Basic Education Act of 2020, effective from 5 October, replacing the 2001 Education Act. The new legislation reflects Namibia's commitment to education, notably increasing the compulsory school attendance age from 16 to 18. Deputy Executive Director Edda Bohn says the act also addresses learners' rights to transfer under specific circumstances.

November 21, 2023 45