Victoria Immanuel
ONGWEDIVA – The government has been urged to recruit qualified information and communication technology (ICT) professionals as teachers to equip learners with practical digital skills while creating employment opportunities for young people.
Information Security Specialist and Agriculturist Eng. Emmanuel Muhamubi called on the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology to work with the Ministry of Education to assess the need for ICT teachers and develop a recruitment plan covering all 14 regions.
“Namibia should make a deliberate investment in ICT education, not only to prepare learners for the future, but also to create meaningful employment for young Namibians today,” Muhamubi said.
He said ICT education should go beyond basic computer literacy to include programming, cybersecurity, robotics, electronics, data science and artificial intelligence.
Muhamubi said the government should assess existing teaching positions, school infrastructure and regional needs before setting targets for teacher recruitment and equipment.
“We are also proposing internships, apprenticeships and school technology clubs to connect learners and young ICT professionals with employers,” he said.
He further said investing in ICT education could strengthen Namibia’s digital workforce while creating pathways to employment, entrepreneurship and innovation.
“Employing qualified specialists would help learners acquire practical skills that could be applied in agriculture, engineering, business and other industries,” Muhamubi added. Secondary school learner Selma Amutenya, who also attended the Summit, supported the proposal, saying practical ICT lessons could help learners discover their abilities and prepare for careers in the growing digital economy.
“Learning how to code and use technology to solve real-life problems would help us develop our own ideas and prepare opportunities beyond the classroom,” Amutenya said.
She said access to computers, internet connectivity, and practical lessons could encourage learners to explore technology and develop innovative solutions.
Secondary school ICT teacher Petrus Nangolo also supported the proposal, saying specialised teachers were important in helping learners understand and apply digital concepts.
“Learners need more than basic computer knowledge. They need practical training that allows them to develop skills they can use in further studies and the workplace,” Nangolo said.
He added that schools needed qualified teachers, appropriate equipment, and reliable internet connectivity to deliver effective ICT education.
-vkaapanda@nepc.com.na
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