Under the new model, learning begins at entry-level vocational training.<\/p>\n
A Grade 9 pupil can enter the TVET system at the introductory or foundational level, where they are introduced to basic technical skills, workplace safety and hands-on exposure to different trades.<\/p>\n
Pupils who may have dropped out of school or lack formal qualifications are also accommodated through foundation programmes that strengthen literacy, numeracy and basic technical competence.<\/p>\n
REDUCING FAILURE<\/p>\n
NTA chief executive Erick Nenghwanya says the decision will reduce the failure rate and ensure industry relevance.<\/p>\n
“This upholds standards by enforcing competency based steps, aligning with international models of structured pathways.<\/p>\n
It prevents misalignment, reduces failures, and ensures industry relevance without compromising national benchmarks.<\/p>\n
“The system inclusively serves youth\/adults via clear pathways, expanding opportunities without barriers,” he says.<\/p>\n
The new framework positions TVET not as a second option, but as a parallel pathway to doctoral qualifications.<\/p>\n
Nenghwanya says this does, however, not create shortcuts.<\/p>\n
“Pupils must progress through each competency level, complete practical training and meet entry requirements before progressing.<\/p>\n
“A pupil cannot jump directly from Grade 10 into a degree programme without completing the required vocational and technical stages,” he says.<\/p>\n
He says the reform also seeks to address long-standing challenges in the TVET sector, including institutions offering programmes beyond their mandate, misalignment with industry needs, and high failure rates caused by poorly structured progression routes.<\/p>\n
Currently, pupils can only attain university degrees through the Namibia Senior Secondary Certificate Ordinary or Namibia Senior Secondary Certificate Advanced Subsidiary qualifications.<\/p>\n
‘NO COMPETITION’<\/p>\n
Education minister Sanet Steenkamp says this reform complements rather than competes with the university system.<\/p>\n
“The colleges will have a distinct mandate focused on applied, practice-oriented and occupationally directed qualifications, with strong industry alignment and work-integrated learning.<\/p>\n
“Universities will continue to focus primarily on academic, research-intensive and theoretical programmes.<\/p>\n
This difference will be reinforced through programme approval processes under the Namibia Qualifications Authority (NQA) and relevant higher education regulatory structures,” she says.<\/p>\n
She says while the Cabinet has approved the transformation, the specific institutions identified for elevation have not yet been formally gazetted.<\/p>\n
Steenkamp says all Level 7 qualifications, which typically involve degrees offered by colleges, will be subject to the same national quality assurance requirements as those offered by universities.<\/p>\n
This includes accreditation by the NQA, compliance with national qualification descriptors, external moderation, programme reviews and institutional audits.<\/p>\n
“No institution will be permitted to offer Level 7 programmes without meeting full accreditation requirements,” she says.<\/p>\n
‘NOT READY’<\/p>\n
The minister says not all existing TVET centres are ready to deliver higher-level programmes.<\/p>\n
“This is why the reform is being implemented on a phased basis over several years.<\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/aa-logo-rgba-no-text-128x128.png\"\/){kind=logo}
<\/p>\n
Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters<\/p>\n
Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox<\/p>\n
Success!<\/p>\n
Almost finished…<\/p>\n
We need to confirm your email address.<\/p>\n
To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you.<\/p>\n
Error!<\/p>\n
There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.<\/p>\n
The transformation will be supported through targeted infrastructure upgrades, lecturer development and upskilling, strategic reskilling, and revised funding models aligned to expanded institutional mandates.<\/p>\n
“The Cabinet’s approval recognises that additional investment will be required, and this is being addressed through medium-term planning and partnerships where appropriate. Quality remains the central priority,” she says.<\/p>\n
STUDENT UNION HAPPY<\/p>\n
Steenkamp says the move will directly address graduate unemployment and the longstanding mismatch between skills training and labour market needs.<\/p>\n
Namibia National Students Organisation leader Dorthea Nangolo yesterday welcomed the move.<\/p>\n
“TVET contributes to our country and it is not valued.<\/p>\n
The lack of value results in people thinking they are not academically talented or illiterate, and they are not being taken seriously.<\/p>\n
“People with brilliant manual skills and minds can now also progress.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The Cabinet has approved a national pathway allowing Grade 9 pupils to progress through the technical and vocational…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":198,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[43],"tags":[63,83,265,262,1143,102,96,261,267,264,263,266],"class_list":{"0":"post-18291","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-namibia","8":"tag-africa","9":"tag-business","10":"tag-current-events","11":"tag-economy","12":"tag-education","13":"tag-namibia","14":"tag-news","15":"tag-politics","16":"tag-southern-africa","17":"tag-sports","18":"tag-trade","19":"tag-travel"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/africa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18291","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/africa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/africa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/africa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/africa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=18291"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/africa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18291\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/africa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/198"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/africa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=18291"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/africa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=18291"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/africa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=18291"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}