EDITORIAL: Exam results spotlight education priorities

There were mixed feelings when the education ministry announced the NSSCO and NSSCAS exam results for 2023, which had thousands of learners on tenterhooks.The results of previous years did not inspire much confidence because most learners failed to get the required grades to move up the education ladder.The ministry announced that 40 682 full-time candidates registered for the “national examinations at Ordinary Level” at the end of 2023. That amounts to 2 663 candidates (7%) more learners than the 38 019 full-time examinees for the year-end exams of 2022 for the same level.During her speech, minister Anna Nghipondoka called on teacher training institutions to give attention to the teaching of higher-order thinking skills.This once again speaks to the discord between the education stakeholders, a situation that surely disadvantages learners. After so many years, it cannot be right that we are still calling on teacher trainers to focus on things that should come automatically.There is a serious need to develop strategies that are learner-centred if we are to turn the tide when it comes to the woeful examination results to which we continue to be subjected every year.The ministry is trying its utmost to avail itself of the necessary resources and support to help educators on the ground execute their mandate more effectively, but it seems those in the system are not on the same wavelength.Teachers should also take initiative and pursue self-development instead of waiting for ministry-initiated programmes.

EDITORIAL: Exam results spotlight education priorities

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Namibian Sun 2025-03-12

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EDITORIAL: Exam results spotlight education priorities

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Namibian Sun 2025-03-12

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