NAMCOL moves to end renewals of fixed term contracts after November 25th The Namibia College of Open Learning (Namcol) has announced that its board has approved the extension of contracts for employees in critical positions until November 2025, provided they meet the required qualification criteria. A statement issued by the Office of the CEO says that these extended contracts will include revised terms clearly stating that no further renewals will occur beyond November 2025. It also says that any continuation of employment thereafter will be subject to a transparent and competitive recruitment process. The decision was formally communicated to affected staff on 16 May 2025, but this has sparked concern and dissatisfaction among some employees. Nearly half of Namcol’s workforce, about 49%, are currently employed on fixed-term contracts. The college says this structure was initially used to meet operational demands but is no longer viable under the current legal and governance framework. “This resolution is not a reflection of the dedication or performance of the affected staff. On the contrary, Namcol deeply appreciates the contributions of all its employees, particularly those who have served through multiple contract terms. However, the college has a responsibility to ensure that all employment practices are legally sound and ethically upheld, in line with its public service mandate,” reads the statement. Namcol stressed that these contract extensions will be the final renewals, and any future employment will require staff to apply through a competitive recruitment process. Photo: Contributed The post NAMCOL moves to end renewals of fixed term contracts after November 25th appeared first on The Namibian.

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Namcol lets go of over 100 contract workers More than 110 workers who were employed by the Namibia College of Open Learning (Namcol) across the country have been let go following the end of their contracts this month. The affected individuals were employed on a fixed-term basis across various departments, including the warehouse, information technology, finance, administration, learner support, media and student services. The Namibian understands that the decision was taken by management on 5 May, following the end of the institution’s recess. Some of the affected employees have reportedly had their contracts renewed repeatedly for over 20 years. Some workers allege they were only informed of their dismissal via Whats­App messages, while others received phone calls – even after having worked at the institution for up to 25 years. “There was no communication on the renewal. Now permanent workers are less than contract workers. How are they going to manage? We were always the ones doing everything and always on the ground,” the group says, adding that they have engaged the board on the matter. A source from the group says, “The work has now been given to permanent workers who are being paid overtime, while we are in the streets now suffering with no jobs.” However, Namcol executive officer Ngepathimo Kadhila says the employees were not fired, but that their contracts had simply ended. He says the board is trying to rectify a past administrative error that allowed contract workers to remain employed for periods exceeding 24 months. “I am not aware that people were fired, but contracts came to an end and were not renewed because there are processes that need to be followed which were not followed.” Kadhila also says no positions have been filled yet and those whose contracts ended are welcome to reapply, provided they meet the requirements. “We want to follow the correct process of putting out an advertisement for people to apply, including those with contracts that ended.” Kadhila says those who were let go were contacted via email and not WhatsApp. “Someone leaked a message that I had sent to management that they should inform the people about the non-renewal of the contracts.” Namcol currently employs 115 full-time and 1 500 part-time staff members. The post Namcol lets go of over 100 contract workers appeared first on The Namibian.

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NAMCOL celebrates learners at graduation Niël Terblanché The Namibia College of Open Learning (NAMCOL) held its annual graduation ceremony in Windhoek on Thursday, honouring the academic accomplishments of its students and strengthening its role in Namibia’s educational landscape. The event was attended by Sanet Steenkamp, Minister of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture, who commended the graduates for their perseverance and dedication. She acknowledged NAMCOL’s contribution to skills development and lifelong learning.  “We continue to strengthen partnerships with institutions like NAMCOL, whose work is central to national progress. Let it be known that NAMCOL is not a secondary or alternative option; it is a core pillar of our national education architecture,” she said. NAMCOL’s chief executive officer, Ngepathimo Kadhila, congratulated the graduates and recognised their resilience in overcoming challenges to achieve success. Established by an Act of Parliament in 1997, NAMCOL is a semi-autonomous institution under the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture. It offers educational opportunities to adults and out-of-school youth, aiming to improve their general education and vocational skills. Over the years, NAMCOL has expanded its offerings to include secondary, tertiary, and technical vocational programmes, and has become the largest educational institution in Namibia in terms of student enrolment. NAMCOL has embraced technology to enhance its educational delivery, incorporating e-learning, video lessons, and digital platforms. It has received international recognition, including awards from the Commonwealth of Learning for excellence in distance education materials and web-based lessons. The graduation ceremony celebrated the achievements of its students and demonstrated the institution’s commitment to providing accessible, quality education across Namibia.

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NAMCOL honours top achievers NAMCOL honours top achievers NBC Online Fri, 03/28/2025 - 16:27

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Namcol awards its top performers Namcol awards its top performers NBC Online Thu, 03/27/2025 - 19:23

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