Transforming education: the power of ICT policies - Commonwealth ...

Partnerships Currently in Existence
The Namibian Ministry of Education has already established a host of partnerships with donor, development
agencies and private sector. Table 8 lists some of the key partnerships that are in existence during 2009-2010 and
the respective projects that have been underway.
Table 8: Current Partners in ICT for Education Namibia
Name of Partner Projects
To expand quality education for both students and teachers in the lower primary
grades; and,
USAID
To put in place the systems and structures necessary to deliver quality education
services and strengthen the capacity of the MoE to manage educational
management
Accenture Development Partnerships Subsidised technical expertise
Inwent eLearning Centre
Microsoft Partners in Learning
Global eSchools and Communities Initiative Technical Support and Advice
Community Education Computer Society ICT literacy and ICT training for communities
At the time of writing, organizations such as SchoolNet Namibia who have played a path-breaking role in the ICT in
Education sector in Namibia over the past ten years, had closed down, which shows the fl uidity of the environment
under which partners and stakeholders are working in this sector.
Policy Alignment and Consistency
There is signifi cant consistency and alignment between the GRN’s Vision 2030, the country’s policy and strategy
for education improvement and the ICT Policy for Education. There is also consistency and strong alignment with
the international policy context with reference to sustainable socio-economic development. The GRN’s vision
statement and subsidiary policies related to education endorses the Millennium Development Goals and Education
For All goals.
Vision 2030
The GRN’s long term vision for the country’s socio-economic development is enshrined in its Vision 2030: Policy
Framework for Long Term National Development document which was adopted in 2004. It is a national plan to
“improve the quality of life of the people of Namibia to the level of their counterparts in the developed world by
2030” (GRN, 2005:2). Vision 2030 serves as a broad guiding vision that unifi es the fi ve-year rolling plans (referred
to as National Development Plans), providing direction to government ministries, private sector, NGOs and local
authorities.
Vision 2030 aspires towards Namibia becoming a prosperous and industrialized nation, developed by the country’s
human resources, and enjoying peace, harmony and political stability. The Vision proposes to transform Namibia
into a healthy and food-secure nation, in which all preventable, infectious, and parasitic diseases are under control,
and where people enjoy a high standard of living, high-quality life, and have access to quality education, health,
and other vital services. All of these aspirations translate into a long life expectancy and sustainable population
growth. In support of the objectives of 2030, capacity-building is being pursued by both the private and public
sectors and proposes to be enabled by political stability and freedom, a sound legal system, economic resources
and opportunities, and social norms that are conducive to sustained development.
Case Study: Namibia | 87