Stefanus Nashama
The Deputy Minister of Education, Arts and Culture, Faustina Caley has called on the establishment of a teachers’ regulatory authority in Namibia, as it would conceptualize and professionalize the teaching profession and regulate matters like teachers’ conduct.
“The regulator would also regulate teachers’ preparations, the recruitment process, career advancement and continuous professional development,” she said.
Caley was speaking at the Africa Federation of Teaching Regulatory Authorities (AFTRA)’s 10th International Conference hosted by the Ministry of Education, Art and Culture and the Namibia National Teachers Union (NANTU) in Windhoek.
She said while hosting the conference, Namibia should learn from member countries on the establishment of a teaching regulatory authority.
“The absence of a legal framework regulating the profession is a contributing factor to the failure rates,” she stated.
Caley reiterated that the current teaching results are not up to standard, nor are they conforming to the norms of performance.
“Teachers in Namibia are not yet registered by any agency nor are they required to have a license to practice. The teachers’ ability to benchmark with teachers within the region or beyond is not possible as long as these educators are not perceived as professionals,” she said.
The President of AFTRA, Professor Josiah Olusegun Ajiboye on his part said that the regulation of teaching enables the registration and licensing of teachers and sets standards for pre-service and ongoing teacher professional development.
Ajiboye further said it facilitates the development and implementation of a code of ethics and professional standards for teachers and school leaders and promotes the professional status of teachers.
AFTRA, as an intergovernmental organisation regulating teaching in Africa, comprises 55 Member States of the African Union.
The conference will conclude on Saturday.
