Coaching councils

AFTER 16 years of Independence, Namibians can no longer hide behind the excuse that their mistakes are based on ignorance and the country’s history under colonialism.

Making this remark yesterday at the launch of a new Namibian College of Open Learning (Namcol) programme, the Vice President of the Association of Local Authorities in Namibia (Alan), Piyoo Nganate, said it was depressing that local and regional government had become known for being badly run and in chaos. Namcol yesterday launched the Certificate in Local Government Studies, a 12-month study programme aimed at local and regional government employees, as well as members of the public interested in pursuing careers in these fields.”Education is said to be the key to success and I would echo that unless Local and Regional Councillors are empowered with know-how, we will keep [fumbling] in the dark, and instead of being a service to our people, a disservice,” Nganate said.The programme features subjects such as English for General Communication, Local Public Finance and Accounting, and Local Government Economics.Namcol Deputy Director Jerry Beukes says around 153 students have registered this year.Namcol said the aim was to support decentralisation, while supporting capacity-building initiatives of regional councils and local authorities Namcol Director Frances Mensah expressed concern about the lack of applications from town and village councillors.”If councillors are not skilled and equipped, not only will they frustrate the qualified officials but they will also compromise their own positions as decision makers,” she warned.Namcol says the certificate will be acceptable as a basic entry qualification for students wishing to enrol for a Diploma in Local Government Studies at Unam.Namcol yesterday launched the Certificate in Local Government Studies, a 12-month study programme aimed at local and regional government employees, as well as members of the public interested in pursuing careers in these fields.”Education is said to be the key to success and I would echo that unless Local and Regional Councillors are empowered with know-how, we will keep [fumbling] in the dark, and instead of being a service to our people, a disservice,” Nganate said.The programme features subjects such as English for General Communication, Local Public Finance and Accounting, and Local Government Economics.Namcol Deputy Director Jerry Beukes says around 153 students have registered this year.Namcol said the aim was to support decentralisation, while supporting capacity-building initiatives of regional councils and local authorities Namcol Director Frances Mensah expressed concern about the lack of applications from town and village councillors.”If councillors are not skilled and equipped, not only will they frustrate the qualified officials but they will also compromise their own positions as decision makers,” she warned. Namcol says the certificate will be acceptable as a basic entry qualification for students wishing to enrol for a Diploma in Local Government Studies at Unam.