Namcol ready to absorb 24 000 learners
The Namibian College of Open Learning is prepared to register about 24 000 learners for the 2023 academic year at an average of two subjects per learner.
This was revealed to New Era yesterday by Namcol spokesperson Freddy Kaukungua when asked about the college’s readiness for the 2023 academic year. More learners are expected to enrol with Namcol after the dismal performance by the grade 11 Namibia Senior Secondary Certificate Ordinary and grade 12 Advanced Subsidiary levels (NSSCO and NSSCAS). The results show that only 8 133 pupils or 24% qualified for tertiary education from the 38 019 candidates who sat for the 2022 national exams. “With our registration scheduled to commence on 30 January 2023 countrywide, materials have already been dispatched to the regions. They will then be further dispatched to the centres in readiness for the enrolment process, which will go on until 15 February 2023,” Kaukungua explained.
Due to the overwhelming number of learners that Namcol might receive, the institution has already made provision for the distribution of e-books to ensure that as many as possible learners are accommodated.
Asked how these high failure rates affect or impact the institution, Kaukungua agreed Namcol will need more teaching and learning materials, which is why it will utilise the e-books already produced. “There might be a need to print more books, which the institution will do if required. Full-time and part-time learners can access study materials that are available online on our Notesmaster platform,” he said.
He applauded Namcol learners for a good performance last year, especially in English second language. “The national average cumulative overall grading for the D symbol in 2021 was 49.4%, and is now at 67.1%. This shows tremendous improvement. Although there are subjects with a drop in performance, the total graded entries for all subjects dropped only with 3%, as the graded entries are still above 95%,” Kaukungua analysed.
Namcol said the decrease in performance can largely be attributed to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
On registration, Namcol remains the most affordable institution in terms of providing learners with an opportunity to improve their points.
This year, Namcol requires a non-refundable registration fee of N$120.
For subjects on NSSCO, Namcol charges N$320 per subject and N$430 per subject for the NSSAS level. The Namcol registration package includes an orientation workshop, a full set of study guides, and/or learner books for each subject.
There will also be two block tuition workshops annually, two assignments, self-supervised study halls (where available) and mock examinations (assessment). Namcol offers various categories, ranging from secondary education – grades 11 and 12 – to tertiary education, which includes short courses, certificates, diplomas and degrees as well as technical and vocational education programmes (TVET).
In the tertiary programmes, Namcol creates a pathway for students and trainees to complete qualifications that enable them to find employment.
“In some of the certificates, students require only 20 points at the NSSCO level to be admitted, while the short courses don’t require points – this creates better pathways for them. TVET provides soft skills and hard trades to choose from,” Kaukungua added. Prospective learners are urged to bring along the correct documents to enrol at Namcol.
These include proof of identity: a Namibian ID card, passport or full birth certificate.
Others are certificates of a learner’s highest educational qualification, and the latest statement of examination results.