The Namibia Qualifications Authority (NQA) is engaging key education and training stakeholders in Outapi, Omusati Region, as part of an ongoing information and sensitisation session on the National Policy for Qualification Standards in Namibia.

The engagement session held at the Omusati Regional Council Hall, brought together representatives from various institutions and members of the public. 

The consultation forms part of a broader national awareness campaign aimed at strengthening the quality, consistency and recognition of qualifications across different sectors in the country.

Joseph Hamunyela, the head of Qualifications at the NQA, emphasised that the National Policy on Qualification Standards, launched by the Ministry of Education in March, is now in force and must be implemented without delay. 

Hamunyela added that the policy, developed over three years through wide public consultation, is intended to harmonise Namibia’s education sector and ensure consistent standards in the recognition and quality assurance of qualifications.

Speaking at the engagement session, Omusati Governor Immanuel Shikongo said there might be institutions operating in the region without recognition from the NQA. 

Shikongo urged these institutions operating in the region without recognition from NQA to attend the engagements. He further added that it would be beneficial for all such institutions to attend these sessions so that they can be informed on how their institutions can be fully recognised by NQA.

He stressed that parents often waste money paying for their children at unrecognised institutions, where they later acquire worthless qualifications.

The consultation in Omusati forms part of a series of regional engagements being conducted nationwide by NQA.