The Namibia Qualifications Authority (NQA) has pointed out the importance of qualification evaluation in strengthening quality, standards and credibility within Namibia's education and employment sectors.

NQA's Head of Qualifications Joseph Amunyela said the initiative was aimed at strengthening awareness, understanding and collaboration among institutions and officials responsible for recruitment, learner admissions and decisions concerning qualification pathways.

Amunyela said qualification evaluation helps establish whether credentials are authentic, valid and recognisable within the Namibia Qualifications Framework.

"In recognising and responding to fraudulent and misrepresentations of credentials, and to making fair and informed decisions that protect learners, protect employers, institutions, and the public."

Qualification evaluation examines the legality, validity and credibility and relates them to the Namibian NQF. 

Amunyela further noted that the NQA is modernising the qualification system through strategic initiatives, including the recently launched automated qualification evaluation system.

"The resulting evaluation supports, but does not replace, employment, a division, or professional registration decisions. NQA now continues to modernise the qualification system through strategic policies that we have just embarked on, and that includes the recently launched automated evaluation system in Namibia. And going further also, NQA has made it possible that a national policy on qualification standards was approved by cabinet last year in November, and together these initiatives support more accessible, secure, and consistent evaluation, clear national standards, and the credible recognition of emerging forms of learning."

The NQA is responsible for administering the National Qualifications Framework, safeguarding national standards and providing trusted information on qualifications.