Directorate: Programmes And Quality Assurance (PQA)

Programmes

1. The implementation of National Standards and Performance Indicators for Schools (NSPI) and its external school- and school self- evaluation process, as well as the specifications, standards and monitoring of hostels.
   • Overseeing the implementation of National Standards and Performance Indicators for Schools in Namibia.
   • Facilitate and coordinate the revision of National Standards and Performance Indicators’ Instruments.
   • Research and identify training needs for Inspectors of Education.
2. Coordinates and monitor the Namibia School Feeding Programme and support to community hostels as well the stakeholder involvement in the training for inspectors and school managers.
   • Plan, supervise and control the activities of the School Feeding Programme.
   • Attends meetings, seminars and workshop at the national and regional levels which are related to educational issues on Nutrition and Food Security.
3. Monitors all activities of the Ministry of Education and ensures that they are in the best interest of the development of all learners through compliance with relevant acts, regulation, policies and ratified international instruments such as Education for All Goals, the development of the Post 2015 Agenda as the Goals for Sustainable Development in particular with Goal 4, Millennium Development Goals (2&3), Elimination of all forms of Child Labour and protection and monitoring of the Rights of the Child to Education.
   • Ensures effective and efficient education system auditing including schools on set standards through external validation.
   • Ensures compliance with relevant acts, bills, policies and guidelines by all stakeholders.
   • The task of ensuring realization of the Education for All declaration and the rights of the child to education taking into account the indigenous and marginalized communities.
4. Offers subject(s) advisory services which includes professional continuous development of advisory teachers in regions, as well as subject teachers with specific emphasis placed on Mathematics and Science and where the need is identified.
5. Works in close collaboration with the subject experts of NIED, Curriculum and Professional Development, DNEA as well as institutions of higher learning such as the University of Namibia  (UNAM).  At UNAM the Continuous Professional Development Unit (CPDU) is established for coordination of all continuous professional development support to teachers and other education officers.
6. Offers professional development and support to Regional School Counselors, Inspectors of Education, Advisory Teachers, school principals and teachers on Inclusive and Special Education at regional level.
7. The Centre for Communication and Deaf Studies (CCDS) provides in-service training and up-grading on inclusive and special education practices with expertise on advancement of Deaf Education and Namibian Sign Language.
   • Services rendered include procurement and provision of specialized equipment required for teaching and learning of learners with special needs in special and inclusive education settings such as learners with visual or hearing impairments, intellectual impairments and other impairments such as Autism and cerebral palsy or general learning difficulties and learners in need of care and support.
   • Cater for guidance, counselling and support services, especially for educational, psychological and social assessment
8. We do referrals, placement, and admission to special or resource schools/units and inclusive settings, where possible, but also for Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC)
9. We are responsible for the professional development and training of the Regional School Counsellors to be able to give counselling and support of learners in a variety of challenging situations such as sensory, emotional and behavioural difficulties, speech and language difficulties, medical difficulties, deprivation or neglect, physical and sexual abuse, other school/learning related difficulties, bereavement and trauma counselling.
10. At national level coordinates and supervises the activities for mitigation and prevention in this area in the Directorates of Education in the Regions as assigned to Regional HIV and AIDS Coordinators, School Counselors and Life Skills teachers.
11. Secure resources, donor support and national advocacy events. The recent shift to a more holistic approach to wellness or employees and learners will expand the responsibilities of the unit to oversee implementation of revised policy for school health.
12. We formulate and develop policies and programmes, such as:
    • Education Sector Policy on the Prevention and Management of Learner Pregnancy.
    • Menstrual Health and Hygiene Management.
    • National Professional Standards for Teachers in Namibia.
    • Textbook Policy
    • Sector Policy on Inclusive Education
    • School Safety Framework
    • Integrated Physical Education and School Sport (IPESS)