Namibia: Swapo Youth League Wants Education Points System Delayed

What the report says

Namibia’s Swapo Party Youth League (SPYL) has backed a new higher education admission point scale but is urging the government to postpone full implementation until 2028. In a report published by The Namibian and distributed by AllAfrica, the youth league said the reform is a positive move toward more consistent and transparent university admissions, while arguing that schools and students need more time to adapt.

The Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture introduced the standardized system in a circular dated 6 July. According to the article, it is due to apply from the 2027 academic year and will calculate admission points from a pupil’s best five subjects, with English required. The scale is meant to cover qualifications such as the Namibia Senior Secondary Certificate, Cambridge qualifications, the International Baccalaureate and the German Abitur.

SPYL secretary Ephraim Nekongo said the current timetable could be too tight for pupils, parents, teachers and schools, particularly learners in grades 10 to 12 who have already chosen subjects under the existing rules. He argued that a one-year delay would allow for orientation, updated application materials and better academic preparation. Ministry official Erastus Haitengela said the system is intended to improve consistency and fairness and is part of broader efforts to set minimum standards for higher education institutions in Namibia.