Contact Details
Contact Person: Prof Sabo.A Indabawa
Position: Head of Department of Adult and Nonformal Education
E-mail: sindabawa@unam.na
Fax: 09264 61 206 3372 and 3980
Tel: 09264 61 206 3225
Postal Address Private Bag 13301
Windhoek
Namibia
Date: 22 June 1999
Introduction
Although established in 1997/98, the inauguration of the Department of
Adult and Non-Formal Education, the newest department in the Faculty of Education of the
University of Namibia, took place in February, 1999. In his address at the inauguration,
Professor Peter Katjavivi, Vice Chancellor of the University of Namibia, spelled out the
mission of this new department:
The new department was established to address some of the key problems
which faced our nation at the onset of independence: the problems of illiteracy, and the
problems of inequity in access to education.
He noted that the department is one of the academic and service units
that have been established for the purpose of pursuing and undertaking activities for the
promotion of education in the country. It is, therefore, the task of this department to
establish both academic-professional and service programmes that are relevant to the needs
of the people of Namibia.
Target groups
Formal
A total of 54 students have been admitted to the department’s
programmes this year. Of these: 40 have enrolled for the Diploma (24 women), and 14 for
the B.Ed. (seven women). Eight applicants have been shortlisted for the PhD programme (of
these three are women and two are Nationals of other countries).
Non-Formal
The short courses, which may last a minimum of one day and a maximum of
three weeks, are aimed at a diverse group of people:
- Trainers in vocational training centres;
- Stakeholders in the literacy enterprise, especially managers of Namibia’s National
Defence Force, as well as members of NGOs, donor bodies, and country representatives;
- People who are responsible for human resource activities in government departments and
in industry;
- Promoters (literacy teachers);
- Literacy facilitators, existing and potential Primer Publishers.
Programmes Offered
A nationwide needs assessment survey was conducted in 1998 to establish
more accurately the professional education and training needs of people in the different
regions of Namibia. The survey report was presented to a National Consultative Workshop,
which was attended by stakeholders in government, the private sector, and non-governmental
organizations. The valuable input from participants enabled the staff of the department to
further refine the programmes they intended to offer students early in 1999.
The following four academic programmes were approved by the University:
Diploma
Diploma in Adult Education and Community Development
(2years)
Degree
B.Ed., (Adult Education) (3/4 years)
Master Degree Master in Education, M.Ed.,
(Adult Education) (2/3 years)
PhD
Doctor of Philosophy, PhD (Adult Education by Research
only) (3/5 years).
In the past huge financial resources were spent on the professional
development of people in the field of adult education who were forced to register with
institutions outside Namibia. This new development offers Namibians a range of programmes,
in an area of national priority, which are Namibian in character and focus. The following
gives an overview of what each of the programmes aims to achieve:
Diploma in Adult Education and Community Development
This two year programme will provide training for people who already
have some basic training in adult education and who are working in the field, for example,
as extension officers, training officers in industry, literacy officers, community
development practitioners, and health educators. Typically these are middle-level
personnel from a variety of settings such as departments of extension, community
development, and training centres in non-governmental organizations and the private
sector.
Bachelor of Education (Adult Education)
This programme intends to produce personnel in adult education who will
be able to occupy positions of responsibility relating to the planning, organization,
management, and monitoring of adult education programmes and projects.
Master of Education (Adult Education)
The programme is intended to provide advanced knowledge, skills, and
competences for adult educators, trainers, and related practitioners, in order to meet the
high level manpower requirements of relevant institutions and departments of government,
the private sector, and non governmental organizations engaged in a variety of development
work for the promotion of Namibia’s national interests and expectations.
Ph.D. (Adult Education)
The Ph.D. in Adult Education seeks to provide advanced training for and
development of leaders in the public sector, the private sector, and non-governmental
organizations. Holders of this qualification should also be able to occupy leadership
positions in teaching, research, and development institutions and agencies in Namibia and
other countries.
All the approved programmes commenced in January, 1999, with the
exception of the M.Ed., which will start in 2000.
Short Courses
The department also offers outreach, nonformal education programmes to
cater for the diverse needs of adults. Five short courses were approved and are being
offered during 1999.
- Skills and Vocational Trainers course;
- National (annual) Literacy and Development Seminar;
- Human Resource Specialist (annual) Conference;
- Annual Literacy Promoters Workshop; and
- Primer Design/Writers Workshop.
Delivery Modes and Technologies
At the moment the delivery mode of the programmes is face-to-face.
However, the Department intends to offer some of its programmes through a unique
multi-mode at a distance. The Department will work in close collaboration with the Centre
for External Studies (CES), the external outreach centre at the University of Namibia.
Collaborative Activities
The Department promotes collaboration in various ways:
- Some staff participate in the teaching of the B.Ed., which is offered at a distance by
the Centre for External Studies.
- CES will assist the Department in its efforts to offer specific programmes using
distance education methods.
- The Department works closely with the Directorate of Adult Basic Education (DABE) of the
Namibian Ministry of Basic Education and Culture.
- A working cooperation agreement was signed with the Institute for International
Cooperation of the German Adult Education Association (DVV) for support in three areas,
namely a scholarship scheme for Diploma students, grant for the procurement of basic
equipment, supply of textbooks in adult education.
- The Department is commencing with An Impact Study Project on Nonformal Basic Education
in Namibia, which is sponsored by UNESCO. This project is being undertaken under the
auspices of the Educational Research Association (NERA). The project is expected to take
18 months. Similar work is being done in nine other African countries.
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