6 July 2026
Remarks by Bethuel Tjaveondja at the opening of the Standing Committee’s Stakeholders’ Engagement Sessio , C’est Si Bon Hotel, Otjiwarongo.
Honourable Members,
Good morning.
It gives me great pleasure to welcome Honourable Members of the Standing Committee on Education, Science, ICT and Youth Development, together with the Committee Secretariat, to this important stakeholder engagement programme.
This week presents us with an opportunity to strengthen our oversight role through direct engagement with institutions that play a pivotal role in advancing education, science, research, innovation, technical and vocational training, and human capital development in Namibia.
As Honourable Members are aware, our Committee derives its mandate from Rule 158 of the National Council Standing Rules and Orders. In terms of this mandate, we are required to scrutinise and report to the National Council on matters relating to the Offices, Ministries, Agencies and public institutions that fall within our portfolio.
In carrying out this responsibility, effective oversight extends beyond the examination of reports and policy documents. It also requires us to engage directly with the institutions under our oversight in order to obtain first-hand information on their performance, achievements, challenges and future priorities.
The primary purpose of these briefing sessions is therefore to deepen the Committee’s understanding of the performance, opportunities and challenges within Namibia’s education, science, research, innovation and ICT sectors. The information shared during these engagements will enable the Committee to assess the extent to which these institutions are delivering on their respective mandates and contributing to national development priorities, particularly in the areas of quality education, research, innovation and skills development.
Over the course of this programme, the Committee will engage with the:
- National Council for Higher Education;
- Namibia University of Science and Technology;
- National Training Authority and Vocational Training Centres;
- National Commission on Research, Science and Technology;
- Namibia National Teachers’ Union;
- Teachers Union of Namibia;
- Namibia National Students Organisation; and
- Public Service Commission.
Each of these institutions occupies a unique and strategic position within Namibia’s development architecture. Their experiences, perspectives and expertise will provide valuable insights into the opportunities and constraints affecting their respective sectors.
These engagements should therefore be viewed as an important platform for constructive dialogue, mutual learning and evidence gathering, all of which are essential for strengthening parliamentary oversight and promoting accountable, responsive and effective public institutions.
Honourable Members, our responsibility during these sessions extends beyond listening to presentations. We are expected to engage critically and objectively by asking relevant questions, seeking clarification where necessary, identifying policy or implementation gaps, and exploring practical solutions to the challenges that may be presented.
The quality of our oversight is largely determined by the quality of our engagement and the evidence upon which we base our findings and recommendations.
It is my expectation that, by the conclusion of these briefing sessions, the Committee will have acquired a deeper appreciation of the issues affecting the sectors under our oversight. This will place us in a stronger position to formulate informed recommendations to the National Council, strengthen our oversight function, and identify concrete areas requiring further parliamentary attention and follow-up.
I therefore encourage all Honourable Members to participate actively throughout the programme and to make full use of this opportunity to fulfil our oversight responsibilities diligently and effectively.
With those remarks, Honourable Members, I wish you fruitful deliberations as we look forward to commencing our engagements with stakeholders tomorrow.
I thank you.
