Education grant raised by N$100
Use funds wisely, minister says
Education minister Anna Nghipondoka has emphasised government's goal of gradually attaining a 1:1 learner-to-textbook ratio.
Education minister Anna Nghipondoka has announced an increase in the universal education grant (UEG) for both primary and secondary schools.
The grant will be raised from N$200 to N$300 for pre-primary and primary schools and from N$300 to N$400 for secondary schools, per learner.
Nghipondoka made this announcement during a regional engagement meeting with school managers in Rundu last week.
"However, the increase in fund allocations to schools means that we also need to strengthen our financial controls and safeguards at the school level and spend the funds on activities that would make the most impact in teaching and learning," she said.
Achieving textbook ratios
The minister emphasised that the timely provision of appropriate teaching and learning support materials is crucial for achieving desired educational outcomes.
"This allocation supplements the universal grant money transferred to schools and should be sufficient to cover the basic stationery needs of the learners,” Nghipondoka said.
“When funds are allocated to regions for this purpose, they are intended to replace old or lost textbooks or add to existing numbers rather than completely purchasing textbooks. These funds aim to assist the ministry in gradually attaining a 1:1 learner-to-textbook ratio," she explained.
"Practical and pre-vocational subject funds are for procuring consumables, materials and minor equipment for science subjects with practical components such as biology, agricultural science, physics, and chemistry," the minister said.
"These funds would enable teachers to conduct practical lessons and thoroughly prepare learners for the NSSCO and NSSCAS final exams. A total of 352 schools have benefitted from these funds," she added.
Use the money
The minister also underlined that "worryingly, we have observed with great concern in 2023 that many schools across the country have not utilised these funds for the targeted purpose, which is to buy consumables and submit an accountability report to NIED by September, through the regional office."
She said this practice is highly discouraged and "is antagonistic to the targets we would like to achieve, ultimately putting learners at a disadvantage because they are not well prepared to handle practical examinations at the end of the year."
Procurement of ICT equipment
Nghipondoka also revealed that the ministry has commenced the procurement of various ICT equipment, including 41 interactive smart screens, primarily for newly added schools offering Advanced Subsidiary Level.
Additionally, 42 computer laboratories will be equipped with 40 computers, a teacher's laptop, a server, and WiFi at three selected schools per region.
"The procurement of this equipment is underway, and delivery is expected by the end of August," she said.
This exercise will be carried out in each financial year "in keeping with the global digital movement.
"I would also like to encourage schools to engage parents, community members and the business community to raise funds to buy more ICT equipment, one step at a time. This will assist the ministry in accelerating the provision of ICT in schools," the minister said.
Support learners and teachers
Nghipondoka also announced that the ministry, through the World Food Programme, has collaborated with the United Arab Emirates' Digital School to run a two-year pilot project in 15 schools – one school per region and two schools in Khomas – to equip schools, learners and teachers with the requisite technological equipment, connectivity and skills to enhance teaching and learning.
“There are 100 teachers and NIED officials who have been identified and are currently being trained for this pilot project. This pilot project is envisioned to be officially launched on 12 August, and these teachers will receive their completion certificates on that day," she said.
Moreover, she said it “is high time that we start keeping track of where our learners differentiate after leaving our schools. This will allow us to be accountable for our learners and even continue to support them after they have left our schools.”
In light of this, the ministry has instructed regional directors to ensure that all secondary schools implement a tracer form that will contain learners' full contact details, parents' contact details, where they are admitted and how they are progressing year after year.
[email protected]
The grant will be raised from N$200 to N$300 for pre-primary and primary schools and from N$300 to N$400 for secondary schools, per learner.
Nghipondoka made this announcement during a regional engagement meeting with school managers in Rundu last week.
"However, the increase in fund allocations to schools means that we also need to strengthen our financial controls and safeguards at the school level and spend the funds on activities that would make the most impact in teaching and learning," she said.
Achieving textbook ratios
The minister emphasised that the timely provision of appropriate teaching and learning support materials is crucial for achieving desired educational outcomes.
"This allocation supplements the universal grant money transferred to schools and should be sufficient to cover the basic stationery needs of the learners,” Nghipondoka said.
“When funds are allocated to regions for this purpose, they are intended to replace old or lost textbooks or add to existing numbers rather than completely purchasing textbooks. These funds aim to assist the ministry in gradually attaining a 1:1 learner-to-textbook ratio," she explained.
"Practical and pre-vocational subject funds are for procuring consumables, materials and minor equipment for science subjects with practical components such as biology, agricultural science, physics, and chemistry," the minister said.
"These funds would enable teachers to conduct practical lessons and thoroughly prepare learners for the NSSCO and NSSCAS final exams. A total of 352 schools have benefitted from these funds," she added.
Use the money
The minister also underlined that "worryingly, we have observed with great concern in 2023 that many schools across the country have not utilised these funds for the targeted purpose, which is to buy consumables and submit an accountability report to NIED by September, through the regional office."
She said this practice is highly discouraged and "is antagonistic to the targets we would like to achieve, ultimately putting learners at a disadvantage because they are not well prepared to handle practical examinations at the end of the year."
Procurement of ICT equipment
Nghipondoka also revealed that the ministry has commenced the procurement of various ICT equipment, including 41 interactive smart screens, primarily for newly added schools offering Advanced Subsidiary Level.
Additionally, 42 computer laboratories will be equipped with 40 computers, a teacher's laptop, a server, and WiFi at three selected schools per region.
"The procurement of this equipment is underway, and delivery is expected by the end of August," she said.
This exercise will be carried out in each financial year "in keeping with the global digital movement.
"I would also like to encourage schools to engage parents, community members and the business community to raise funds to buy more ICT equipment, one step at a time. This will assist the ministry in accelerating the provision of ICT in schools," the minister said.
Support learners and teachers
Nghipondoka also announced that the ministry, through the World Food Programme, has collaborated with the United Arab Emirates' Digital School to run a two-year pilot project in 15 schools – one school per region and two schools in Khomas – to equip schools, learners and teachers with the requisite technological equipment, connectivity and skills to enhance teaching and learning.
“There are 100 teachers and NIED officials who have been identified and are currently being trained for this pilot project. This pilot project is envisioned to be officially launched on 12 August, and these teachers will receive their completion certificates on that day," she said.
Moreover, she said it “is high time that we start keeping track of where our learners differentiate after leaving our schools. This will allow us to be accountable for our learners and even continue to support them after they have left our schools.”
In light of this, the ministry has instructed regional directors to ensure that all secondary schools implement a tracer form that will contain learners' full contact details, parents' contact details, where they are admitted and how they are progressing year after year.
[email protected]
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article