Entrepreneurship Education in Namibia

Mr. Patrick Simalumba Deputy Director (Curriculum Research and Development), National Institute for Educational Development (NIED), Namibia

Why the Government introduced EE

High youth unemployment rate 37.6% in 2008 (national) and 41% amongst youth.

Strategic Decisions Made • Introduction of EE into Upper Primary (Grades 5 -7) as an integrated and compulsory subject for all learners with the objective of creating entrepreneurial awareness and laying a strong foundation for EE in higher grades • Introduction of EE into Junior Secondary (JS) (Grades 8-10) as an elective stand- alone subject. JS level has high student enrollment rates and high drop-out rates for students of employable age Strategic Decisions Made • In JSS, EE (a practical subject) replaced Business Management (theoretical subject) . i) to make room on the timetable . ii) to help develop employment generating graduates • In-service teachers retrained to teach entrepreneurship • NTA developed entrepreneurship Unit Standards for their Level 2 – 4 VTC students to build on the work done in Grades 8 – 10. Strategic Decisions Made • Held a Presidential Commission on Education to give EE political support, raise public awareness, attract the private sector and commit Government to the initiative • MOE made EE part of ETSIP to enable access to Government budgetary resources

Key steps in the process of developing and implementing EE Curriculum • In 2005, conducted research and consultations on EE • In 2005, prepared the syllabus • Piloted in 7 schools for grade 8 - 10 • Developed teaching and learning materials • Conducted a TOT • Conducted in-service teacher training workshops • Private publishers prepared student textbooks • In 2008, commenced a phased roll-out of EE in Grade 8 – 10 secondary schools Implementation status • In 2013: - 624 (out of 633) Junior secondary schools offered entrepreneurship as a subject - 31,517 learners studied entrepreneurship in Grade 10 - 1,060 teachers were teaching entrepreneurship in JSS • Piloting in Grades 11 and 12 SS started in 2014 with 4 schools, 5 teachers and about 135 learners participating • VTCS are offering entrepreneurship to their Levels 1 – 4 students.

Changes observed in behaviour: • Teachers: Have dropped the teacher-centred teaching approach and adopted the learner- centred teaching approach • Students: Have become more confident and are clearer on what they will do when they leave school. Several school leavers have also started their own micro and small business • Communities: Have become more positive about entrepreneurship as a career. Community members are now keen to share their entrepreneurial experiences with or teach learners as well as participate in their entrepreneurial activities Changes Observed in behaviour • Private Sector: Is generally becoming more receptive towards the implementation of entrepreneurship. They are now more active as resource persons for teaching, participating in students’ entrepreneurship activities. Reasons for the Success of EE in Namibia • High-level political support • Government funding for EE curriculum development and implementation activities • Partnerships established by NIED with the private sector (Bank Windhoek, Shell, etc.), NAMAS, UNIDO and other Government departments and institutions • Positive reception by schools, parents and communities Plans for further development of EE • Complete piloting of Entrepreneurship in Grades 11 & 12 (in 2015) and roll-out in 2016 • Development, piloting and rolling-out of Entrepreneurship in higher level secondary schools starting in 2016 up to 2021 • Work with University of Namibia (UNAM) to improve pre-service teacher training programme for student teachers Plans for further development (continued) • Work with UNAM to develop and introduce a long distance training programme for in-service entrepreneurship teachers to improve their capacity • Support Namibia Training Authority in its efforts to review and revise its entrepreneurship training programme for all students in Vocational Training Centres The End Thank you!

The Namibian Team [email protected]