Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1698147208062.pdf (Namibia)
REPUBLICOF NAMIBIA MINISTRY OF HIGHER EDUCATION, TRAINING AND INNOVATION BUDGET SPEECH FINANCIAL YEAR 2018/19 [VOTE 32] f I I Honourable Dr. Itah Kandjii-Murangi, MP Minister of Higher Education, Training and Innovation BUDGET SPEECH VOTE 32 - FINANCIAL YEAR 2018/19 Honourable Chairperson of the Whole House Committee, Honourable Members, It is an honor to rise in this August House to motivate the budget request for vote 32, Ministry of Higher Education Training and Innovation (MHETI), for the 2018/ 2019 financial year.
At this point, I wish to recognize and commend the efforts of the Minister of Finance and his Deputy for drawing up this budget, under the prevailing economic hardships.

Notwithstanding the current challenges, the GRN remains the primary provider of basic goods and services to the public, and the main protector of is entrenched in Chapter 3 of the Namibian Constitution and further encapsulated in the many programs of the Executive, Legislature and the Judiciary.

rights.
rights.

This commitment the citizens' Contemporary education literature and research point to some generic objects of National Education Systems,the world over, as being to.
: i) Provide quality education that immediate labor market(s); is transformative and linked to the ii) Uphold set education standards of each phase of formal education; iii) Empower with requisite knowledge, competences, skillsand attitude to engender growth and sustainable development; iv) Cultivate a sense of citizenship that contribute to the betterment of humanity; and invokes a passion to actively v).

Instillthe realization that lifelong learning is mandatory for quality life.
Efforts are ongoing under MHETIto align the two streams of education: TVETand Academic Education.
tertiary In line with it's mandate, MHETI wishes to highlight achievements in the past financial year (2017/18): the following • Allocation loans and grants to 34,849 beneficiaries to pursue • • tertiary education at local and foreign institutions; Increased enrolment number of VETtrainees in the system from 28,571 in 2016/17 to 32,120 in 2017/18; Increased number of tertiary institutions graduates from 5,042 in 2016/17 to 6,258 in 2017/18; and Honourable Chairperson Honourable Members, BUDGET SPEECH VOTE 32 ~ FINANCIAL YEAR 2018/19 2 Premised on the outcomes of the situational analysis, a Strategic Plan (2017- 2021) has been developed.
ThisStrategic Plan provides direction training and innovation and strategic choices to the higher education, sub-sectors over the next five years.
In line with Vision 2030, Harambee Prosperity Plan and NDP5, the Ministry's Strategic Plan focuses on, but not limited to, the following strategic goals, to: i) Align and better articulate tertiary education levels; ii) Expand access to tertiary education and thereby minimize the plight of Grade 10 and 12 schoolleavers; iii) Consolidate and upgrade the TVETInstructors' Unit at NUSTinto a fully - fledged Faculty of TVETEducation for quality pre-and in-service instructors' education and training; iv) Review ACTS of the Public Enterprises under MHETIto reduce duplications and improve the governance of the ministry's public enterprises; v) Narrow the gap between tertiary education course offerings and industry demands, through actively engaging industry in programme development and apprenticeship programmes; vi) Identify, nurture and develop business-oriented students through provision of practical entrepreneurship education and training, aiming at mainly mind-set change; vii) Strengthen Namibia's research capacity and stimulate innovation; and, viii) Modernize tertiary education, by integrating technology and creativity in education and training to optimize benefits to students, communities and the nation at large.
In the next five years, MHETIunder the Higher Education pillar aims to establish and maintain a quality and responsive tertiary education that ensures equitable access and funding, to meet the demands of making BUDGET SPEECH VOTE 32 - FINANCIAL YEAR 2018/19 3 Namibia a knowledge- based economy.

Also, efforts are underway to effect programs' audit and streamlining academic program offerings, with a view to reducing unnecessary costly duplications at public university level.
Thismeans, going forward, the introduction of new (academic) campuses, centers, faculties and or programs by the two public universitieswould be preceded by proper and adequate consultations with the MHETI,prior to commencement of any such new academic venture.

the immediate focus of MHETIand NTA is to Under the TVET pillar, transform and expand the TVETsystem to the regions.
There is a major imperative of integrating the different TVETcurricula in Namibia into a one properly bench marked, comprehensive quality National TVET System, with clear standards on TVETInstructor Education; TVETentry requirements; Instruction materials development; progression through TVETLevels,Examinationsand AssessmentSystemand TVETqualifications and certification.

A TVETstandards setting, enforcement and TVET/ Industryresearch center, under the Ministry,will be established in the third part of 2018.
While with the Innovation pillar, MHETIseeks to: a) Align Science, Technology & Innovation (STI) policies and strengthen linkages between public and private sectors; and b) Increase stakeholders participation in STIprogrammes.
Honourable Speaker, Honourable Members, Higher Education, Training and Innovation constitute one of the key cornerstones of realizing the goals of Vision 2030 and Harambee Prosperity Plan, which is to transform Namibia into a knowledge-based nation and this hinges on the availability of: • High level technical and professional human capital within our higher education sector; • A vibrant National Systemof Innovation, underpinned by strong technological, research and scientific capacities to propel industrialization, and • A broad base of highly skilled and experienced artisans, technicians, technologists and engineers to run industry operations.
BUDGET SPEECH VOTE 32 - FINANCIAL YEAR 2018/19 4 In keeping with its mandate of educating, training and equitably funding eligible Namibians to achieve the set national goals as outlined in the strategic documents (Vision 2030, NDP 5 and HPP), MHETIwishes to highlights the following achievements for the past financial year.

PROGRAMME 1: COORDINATION AND SUPPORTSERVICES Thisprogramme focuses on providing policy direction and developing national strategy for the Ministry as well as for its administration.
During this financial year, the Ministry will increase its monitoring and evaluation aspects to ensure that tasks are executed with a greater sense of urgency.

The requested funding of Twenty Nine Million Four Hundred and Forty One Thousand (N$29,411,OOO) is requested to support the Ministry's Programme # 1 activities.
PROGRAMME 2: HIGHER EDUCATION The higher education programme's core focus, isto provide affordable and equitable, quality higher education through teaching, research and advisory services, all which are responsive to national development needs.

Under the pillar of higher education, it is worth noting that the following key achievements were accomplished in the year under review: i) The total enrolment at our two public universities (UNAM and NUST), during the 2017 academic year, stood at 35,820students.
At UNAM, the number of enrolled students was 25,684 while at NUSTthe number of enrolled students was 11,230.

For the 2018 academic year, UNAM enrolled 26,645 students while NUSTregistered 11,424 students.

ii) In recognition of the critical role of international partnerships, the University of Namibia (UNAM) and the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) co-hosted the Commonwealth Education Conference.
The conference that was held in BUDGET SPEECH VOTE 32 - FINANCIAL YEAR 2018/19 5 September 2017, and was attended by international delegates, mainly from Europe and the African Region; iv) Furthermore, in our drive to ensure quality, a total of 20 programmes offered by the University of Namibia and Namibia University of Science and Technology were reviewed and bench marked for accreditation purpose with the help of experts from SADCand beyond; _v)A tracer study for graduates, who completed studies in 2012 and 2013 at UNAM, NUSTand IUM,was finalized in the 2017/18 financial year.
Most graduates (69 per cent) rated Course/Programme content "high" in terms of the usefulnessof the study programme to their current employment.

This observation suggests that the universitiesare offering useful programmes in terms of quality and content thus, enhancing employability of graduates.

The majority of the graduates, 81 per cent were employed, and an additional 2 per cent, were self-employed at the time of the survey.
Thisis 3 to 4 years after studies.Almost all employed graduates were working full- time (92 per cent) or had permanent contracts (83 per cent).

Although 17 per cent of the graduates in the survey indicated unemployed, about one third (28 per cent) where pursuing further studies.

A high percentage of graduates (71 per cent) was working in areas that are appropriate to their education level and reported a close relationship between the field of study and the area of work.
In the 2018/19 financial year, the following activities will be conducted under the higher education programme: • Review of education; the national quality assurance system in higher • Undertaking of the employer survey to examine the degree to which training at higher education institutionsisresponsive to the labour market requirements; and Increase enrolment at the public universities;and • • Audit of academic programs at the two public universities Despite the economic hardships faced by government, the MHTEI through the Namibia Student Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF),will continue to commit to providing financial support to needy students.
In 2017/18,to enhance equity in accessing higher education, loans and grants were provided to 16 529 tertiary education students.

The BUDGET SPEECH VOTE 32 - FINANCIAL YEAR 2018/19 6 breakdown is as follows: 4 683 TVETtrainees benefited from the loans/grants awarded, while 10685 under-graduate students at higher education institutions and 1161 post graduate students at tertiary institutions benefited.

It should be noted that this is in addition to the 19478 continuing students.
Thisfigure represents an increase of 18% compared to the 2016/17 financial year.
Therefore, an amount of Three Billion,thirty nine million Eight Hundred and Ninety Eight Thousand Namibia Dollars (N$3,039,898,000) is requested for this programme Thistranslates to an allocation of : i) ii) Nine Hundred and Sixty Million Namibia Dollars (N$960 000 000.00) for the Universityof Namibia; Four Hundred and Twenty Two Thousand (N$422 000.00) of the Namibia National Student Organisation (NANSO); iii) Six Hundred Million Namibia Dollars (N$600 000 000.00) for the Namibia Universityof Science and Technology; and iv) Namibian Students Financial Assistance Fund is allocated One Billion Four Hundred and Fifty Million Namibia Dollars (N$1,450,000,000.00).
Honourable Chairperson, Honourable Members, There is a steady reduction of direct subversions to the two public higher education institutions.

And if it persists, it will severely erode Namibia's quality of university education.

Our public universities are operating under heavy and severe financial constraints.
This might lead to termination of critical programmes and reduction of new student intakes Equally important, is for our public universities to be proactive and aggressive in exploring collaborative projects, joint research, and self- initiated projects that add value and help to augment and diversify their revenue base.
Legal and realistic strategies that do not interfere with the mandate of our public universities, should be explored and BUDGET SPEECH VOTE 32 - FINANCIAL YEAR 2018/19 7 - agreed to by key stakeholders, to gradually reduce the over dependence of Higher Education Institutions on government subvention.

PROGRAMME 3: VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING This programme seeks to establish and manage a demand-driven Technical, Vocational Education and Training (TVET)system.
The key policy objective of this programme is to ensure access, quality and equity in the delivery of technical and vocational skillsrequired for productive work and accelerated social and economic development.

TVETis considered to be one of the key drivers of industrialization, and an effective tool for imparting employability skillsto the youth.

TVETisan important engine for job creation and self-employment.
During the year under review, 2017/2018 the following accomplishments were realized under the TVETSector: • Increased TVETEnrolment: The Namibian Government's vision for the TVETsector, is one under which, aggressive investment is required in growing the local training market and freeing up more opportunities for quality training.

It is a vision that appreciates the importance of quality TVETservices as the most important possible driver of Namibia's economic growth.
Enrolment in TVETis on the increase as more equitable and quality- training opportunities are being generated.

In the previous financial year, altogether 24,937 trainees were enrolled for VETprogrammes at both public and private training institutions, countrywide.

Thisfigure now stands a 27,132 exceeding the enrolment target as articulated in the Harambee Prosperity Plan (HPP).
• Capital Projects: Furthertraction has been gained in expanding the public vocational training centre footprint to all 14 regions.

Ground-breaking ceremonies were staged for the construction of the Nkurenkuru BUDGET SPEECH VOTE 32 - FINANCIAL YEAR 2018/19 8 Vocational Training Centre at Nkurenkuru in Kavango-West in October 2017, and for the construction of the Kunene Vocational Training Centre at Khorixas,in December 2017.
Furthermore, plans are on track to break ground for the construction of the Omuthiya Vocational Training Centre in Oshikoto and the Keetmanshoop Vocational Training Centre in / /Kharas, in the next few months.

Construction work to remodel existing infrastructure at the Kai//Ganaxab Training Centre (Mariental) into a fully-fledged public vocational training centre for the Hardap Region, is expected to commence in the 3rd quarter of the 2018/19 financial year.
• Implementation of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL): RPL assigns value to prior learning.

Its important role in certifying competent, skilled and experienced technical and vocational practitioners is recognised and leveraged in the technical and vocational skillsdevelopment objectives of the HPP,which had set a target of 2000 candidates to be certified during the first year of the HPPperiod.
A total of 3,631 RPLassessmentapplications in 29 different occupational areas were received, of which altogether 1,514 candidates were assessed,and of which 852 candidates (56%),were certified.

• Capacity Building of TVETTrainers: A total of 600 trainers from public vocational training centres, Public Enterprisesand private training institutions attended short further and upskilling training locally and in countries such as Germany, Spain and India, as part of a comprehensive capacity-building programme.
While these are welcome, a TVETinstructors education program with recognized qualifications and certification is needed locally, hence the new Faculty of TVETEducation at NUST.
BUDGET SPEECH VOTE 32 - FINANCIAL YEAR 2018/!9 9 • Registration of Training Institutions: In line with its mandate to regulate the provision of high quality TVETservices to Namibians countrywide and protect the public against unscrupulous service providers, the NTA, through its Standards, Assessment and Certification Council (SACC) continues to register local training institutions.

Currently, 70 institutions have acquired official registration status.
• Improving the Image of TVET: Promoting and leveraging TVETcareer paths and fighting the societal perception, under which TVETcareer options are stereotyped as low- status with limited potential for career growth, will remain a priority for the considerable future.

The year under review saw the conclusion of a very successful national advocacy campaign, under which 24 TVET graduates were profiled as 'ambassadors' or 'champions' of the TVET Sector.
Weekly television programmes and print content advertorials were broadcast on NBC television and published in the New Era newspaper, respectively.

The same content was also shared on a variety of social media platforms.

Very soon, campaign material will be distributed to primary and secondary schools across the country, to ensure learners can access this information.

Planning towards a second advocacy season has started in earnest.
On the international front, Namibia took a team of seven competitors, to partake at the WorldSkillsCompetition in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emiratesfrom 14 to 17 October 2017.

Preparations are already underway for the staging of the second National SkillsCompetition in September 2018,at which competitors are to be selected to represent our country at the 2019 WorldSkillsCompetition, in Kazan, Russia.
• Entrepreneurship Support: The year under review saw the implementation of a programme under which entrepreneurship training is offered for Level 3 TVET BUDGET SPEECH VOTE 32 - FINANCIAL YEAR 2018119 10 graduates.

A total of 128 trainees from five participating VTCs took part in this programme, which also included coaching, mentoring andincubafionsupport.
• Development/Review of New/Existing National VET Qualifications for Registration on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF): Of significance is the development of new national qualifications and unit standards for the Agriculture sector.

The Rundu Vocational Training Centre in Kavango-East and the Zambezi Vocational Training Centre at Katima Mulilo have registered first trainee intakes in this very important national growth area.

Major Undertakings for MTEF Period of 201812019 .
2020121 • Continued TVETTransformation & Expansion Project Implementation: A comprehensive TVETTransformation & Expansion Strategy has been developed with a 15-year implementation timeline, which includes the expansion of infrastructure/facilities at existing VTCs, establishing a footprint of public VTCs in all 14 political regions, and improving quality of training (through up-skilled and qualified trainers, fit-for-purpose tools and equipment, industry response programme offerings, etc).
Implementation of this initiative has commenced at the beginning of 2017.

It is anticipated that the number of trainees in the TVETsystem will increase from the current level of 25,000 to well over 100,000 at full implementation by 2031/32.
Key projects to be embarked upon, include: o Further expansion of the Okakarara VTC (Otjozondjupa); Nakayale VTC (Omusati) and Valombola VTC (Oshana); o Construction of the Omuthiya VTC (Oshikoto); o Construction of Keetmanshoop VTC (I /Kharas); BUDGET SPEECH VOTE 32 - FINANCIAL YEAR 2018119 11 o Construction work to re-purpose existing infrastructure at the Kai//Ganaxab Training Centre at Mariental into a public vocational training centre for the Hardap region; o Procurement of fit-for-purpose training equipment and tools; o Rendering of technical and financial support to government and State-owned enterprise TVETpartners, e.g.
Ministryof Sport, Youth and National Service; National Youth Service (NYS); and the Namibia Marine and Fisheries Institute (NAMFI), to expand access to TVETservices provision.

• Sector Skills Development Plan (SDP) 1 (2016-2020): Further rollout of this plan, which prioritises trades/occupations in high demand as agreed with industry, that will guide investments into skills development over the next five years.

Funding is to be provided under the VET Levy's 35% Key Priority Grant Funding Window.
Approximately N$200 million has been spent to date in support of implementation of this plan.

A further N$300million isexpected to be spent over the remainder of the MTEFperiod.
• Improve Quality of TVETServices Provision: In line with ongoing strategic efforts, to improve the quality of TVET services provision, the following activities are to be implemented over the short- to medium term: o A Work Integrated Learning (WIL) programme, which facilitates the coordination of apprenticeship and industrial attachment, as well as implementation of an associated incentive scheme; o The continuous capacity building of TVETtrainers; o Introduction of a programme leading to a standards setting and TVETbody, similar to NIED;and o The development of industry-driven training programmes.
BUDGET SPEECH VOTE 32 ~ FINANCIAL YEAR 2018/19 12 An amount of One Hundred and Thirty Six Million Eight Hundred and Fifty Two Thousand Namibia Dollars (NS 136,852,000) is requested for this programme.

PROGRAMME 4: RESEARCH,TECHNOLOGY, AND INNOVATION The main objective of this programme is to coordinate, promote and develop research, science, technology and innovation for social and economic benefits of the country.
The key outputs of this programme are a strengthened National Research and Innovation System, underpinned by an enabling Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) policy and legislative framework.

Notable achievements were also realised in this programme.

1.
1.

During the reporting period the National Commission on Research Science and Technology has launched the National the Biotechnology, Testing, Training and Research Laboratory, Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) reference laboratory will provide testing services for GMOs and GMO products which will ensure the full implementation of the Biosafety Act, 2006 (Act no.

7 of 2006).
7 of 2006).

to ensuring that only GMOs and GMO GMO testing is crucial products that are approved for use in Namibia are indeed the ones in the local market, to ensure safety of Products.

The lab is also designed for research and training in the field of biotechnology.

Thus,the lab will play a big role in building local capacity in terms of producing a cadre of professionals and researchers in the field of Biotechnology.

the Monitoring & Evaluation Report 2.
Completion of for the Implementation of research initiatives and programme of the first National Programme on Research, Science, Technology and Innovation (NPRSTI).Thisreport summarizes the output of work of diverse stakeholders and it will serve as a main vehicle to provide wider audiences with information about the implementation of the NPRSTIinitiatives BUDGET SPEECH VOTE 32 - FINANCIAL YEAR 2018119 13 Key priority spending programmes to be implemented in the coming budget year (2018/19) and the expected outputs are: 1) Implementation of the Biosafety Act to ensure comprehensive regulation of GMOs which will ensure food safety and security; 2) Funding of innovation programmes that show potential to result in new products and services; 3) Implementation of the STIpolicy and review of the RSTAct, 2004 to ensure optimum collection of revenue from research permits and introduce levies that can fund research in key priority areas that are identified to facilitate economic development 4) Establishment of the Namibia Journal for Research, Science and Technology to allow researchers and decision makers to keep up to date of developments in the different scientific fields and in so doing direct the countries resources in terms of research towards national priorities; 5) Implementation of the second National Programme on Research, Science, Technology and Innovation.
The Programme identifies Namibia's priority areas for in research, science, technology and innovation and responds to research priority areas, which address and contribute to solving the primary social and economic challenges of Namibia.

investment 6) Implementation of a National Science, Technology and Innovation Portal, which will serve as a source and repository of information, that isrelevant to the making of policies and decisions on S&T related matters.
The portal will provide an interface between three major groups of players in the S&Tsystem; namely, the policymaking and research funding organisations, researchers, innovators and research & innovation product users.

7) Conducting the second R&D survey to produce STIindicators.

The in understanding the sizeand shape the Namibia R&D landscape and their use in system-level indicators are very important of planning, monitoring and evaluation.
BUDGET SPEECH VOTE 32 ~ FINANCIAL YEAR 2018119 14 \ An amount Ni net y Se v e nTh requested for this programme.
of Twe n t y Six Mill ion Six Hun d red and 0 usa n d Namibia Dollars (NS26,697,OOO) is PROGRAMME 5: NAMIBIA NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR UNESCO The Namibia National Commission for UNESCO manages relations between UNESCO Member States and UNESCO, by providing advice on all UNESCO-related matters, on areas such as Education, Natural Sciences, Social and Human Sciences, Culture and Information and Communication.
The key objective isto access the rich knowledge and technical resources of UNESCO, for the betterment of Namibia.

Other strategic activities include technically supporting and enabling Namibia's representation on the UNESCO governing bodies, namely the UNESCOGeneral Conference, UNESCOExecutive Board and other UNESCOconferences, meetings and workshops.

The following achievements were noticeable during the period under review: 1.
Financial and technical support provided to the UNESCO Scoping mission on the transformation and expansion of TVETin Namibia.

2.

Management of the Office of the Deputy Permanent Delegate to UNESCO.

3.

Continued financial support to the office of the President of the 38th session of the UNESCO General Conference, Hon.

Stanley Simataa.

4.


Appointment and inauguration of ten (10) new members of the Executive Committee of the Namibia National Commission for UNESCO,and fifty-three (53) new members of the Programme Committees.

5.

Orientation session held for sixty-three (63) new members of the Namibia National Commission.

6.

Attendance of the 39th session of the UNESCO General BUDGET SPEECH VOTE 32 - FINANCIAL YEAR 2018119 15 Conference and UNESCOExecutive Board.

7.
7.

Secretarial support provided during the Africa mission of the President of the 3Bth session of the UNESCO General Conference.

B. Facilitation and hosting of the Namibia National Consultation on Sustainable Development Goal 4 for eighty (Ba) participants.

9.

National Consultation on Education, Sciences and Culture.

10.

Hosting of the Annual General Assembly of the National Commission.
An amount of N i n e Mill ion Ei g h t Hun d red and Twen t y Six Th 0 usa n d Namibia Dollars (N$9 82 6 000.00) is requested for this programme.

It is mainly for participation in the session of the UNESCO General Conference and observance of the UNESCOExecutive Board; to provide support to the Office of the Namibian Deputy Permanent Delegate to UNESCO;to pay Namibia's contribution to the Regular Programme of UNESCOand other UNESCOactivities.
It is critical that the positions of key staff vacancies be filled as soon as possible to execute the mandate of the National Commission effectively.

This is a prerequisite for interacting with the UNESCOSecretariat and other professionals in UNESCO Member States, and for efficient and effective participation in the activities of UNESCOto derive maximum benefits from the UNESCOresources.
Honourable Speaker, Honourable Members, As I move towards concluding, I would like to commend our public higher education, training and research institutions for strivingto do / be the best,and produce the bestresultsunderseverefunding limitations.
Finally, I wish to thank my Deputy, Hon Dr. Becky Ndjoze-Ojo, the Permanent Secretary and the entire team, for their dedication and BUDGET SPEECH VOTE 32 - FINANCIAL YEAR 2018/19 16 l sense of purpose and urgency as we, together work hard to achieve the different goals that underpin our Ministry's mandate.
Honourable Speaker, Honourable Members, I therefore now, humbly request this august House to support and approve the total budget of Vote 32 of Three Billion Two hundred thirty two million Eight hundred Fifty Eight thousand Namibia Dollars (N$3,232,858,OOO) for the Ministry of Higher Education, Training and Innovation for 2017/2018 financial year.

I THANK YOU BUDGET SPEECH VOTE 32 - FINANCIAL YEAR 2018/19 17