University of Namibia : Faculty of Education
About the Faculty
The Faculty of Education at the University of Namibia is the largest out of eight Faculties at the University of Namibia. Our total students number 5284, including distance and post-graduate students, The Faculty comprise of 8 departments, We are also responsible for coordinating the University’s Disability Unit for students with physical challenges, i.e. deaf and blind students, those in wheelchairs, and others with similar physical challenges.
Under the Dean’s Office, students are offered access to a well-equipped Media Resource Centre where they are assisted to create innovative instructional resources to apply in their teaching. Micro-teaching classrooms are also available for students to practice and sharpen their teaching skills under the scrutiny of their peers and academic staff.
A well-equipped Computer Laboratory located in the Media Centre is where students are trained in the integration of ICTs in teaching and learning. All campuses have a School Based Studies (SBS) coordinator who identifies schools where our students can be placed for their teaching observations and practical activities.
To ensure equitable access to teacher education programs across the country, our undergraduate programs are offered on six different campuses (including the Southern Campus) across the country and at all Centre for External Studies facilities. All satellite campuses offer the BEd degree in Pre- and Lower Primary Education, preparing teachers to teach in grades 0 – 3, children between the ages of 5 – 9 years old. The curriculum focuses on the effective teaching of literacy and numeracy acquisition in the early grades, as well as on innovative education practices in the children’s own environments.
The Main Campus in Windhoek, as well as the Hifikipunye Pohamba (HP) Campus offer a BEd degree in secondary school teaching. At the HP campus students are trained in the teaching of Science school subjects, i.e. Mathematics, Chemistry and Physics education. The Main campus offers all the combinations of secondary school subjects in the country. Additionally, programs in Adult Education and Community Development, an Advanced Diploma in Educational Management and Leadership, and a Professional Diploma in Education are also offered at Main Campus. The latter diploma allows students with first degrees from other faculties and degree granting institutions, to become qualified teachers in their undergraduate subject specialization.
Our post-graduate programs consist of a MEd degree in eight different specializations as well as a generic PhD is education. Both the MEd and the PhD are done by coursework, examinations and Thesis.
The challenges are exciting, and the rewards are priceless. Few accomplishments in life can measure up to the smile on a young boy’s face when he first realizes that he can read, or the delight expressed by a young woman who solves her first calculus problem. So, if you want to inspire and instruct the next generation of musicians, mathematicians, nurses, scientists, astronauts, and philosophers, choose teaching!
You can choose to teach very young children from pre-primary through the primary grades; or you can work with high school students and specialize in the arts, sciences, math, or technology education. You can also teach at the technical/vocational colleges or university level. You may wish to work with physically, emotionally or intellectually challenged children as a teacher or guidance counselor.
Teaching is a demanding, yet rewarding profession. If you choose this career path, you could also have additional opportunities to exercise your talents. You can coach or be an adviser to extra-curricular activities from foreign language clubs to the choir master.
What are the rewards for becoming a teacher?
- Although teachers do not earn high salaries, it guarantees job security with benefits for housing, medical, pension, etc.
- You are always assured of at least two holidays in the year
- Teaching enables you to make a positive difference in the lives of young people
- To contribute to society and help others
- To help to better the world, teaching provides unique opportunities for personal development and public service
- Few things are as rewarding as helping young people to succeed and reach the height of their potential
You can use your leadership skills to mentor other teachers, lead curriculum design teams or pursue leadership options as a principal or inspector, subject advisor or regional director. Teachers can also use their leadership talents to advocate for others through involvement in the teachers’ union, professional associations and community organizations.
If these options aren’t enough, you should know that the skills of a teacher are transferable to other professions. Government and business-and-industry employers like to hire teachers because of their abilities to work and communicate effectively with people. This – added to their ability to plan, organize and inspire – makes teachers very attractive as employees. While we never like to lose great teachers from the classroom, it is always nice to know that when you choose a particular career path you will have a wide range of options.
Faculty of Education Contact Information