Smooth sailing with Namcol registrations

THE Namibian College of Open Learning’s enrollments at its Windhoek centre have been going smoothly so far with no overcrowding problems encountered, said the education provider’s spokesperson, Michael Samaria yesterday.

He said Namcol experienced an influx of pupils at its Yetu Yama Centre, in Katutura, on Monday and Tuesday, but by yesterday was only dealing with a trickle of propspective pupils still coming to register.

“We expect the numbers to peak again around month end,” he said.

Samaria could not provide the exact number of pupils who had registered so far, adding that the figures would only be available today.

He said one of the challenges encountered at the centre was that prospective pupils did not come with the required documents and had to be sent back to get certified copies.

A 24-year-old prospective pupil who only identified herself as Magano, and who lives in Babylon informal settlement in Katutura, said she arrived at the Yetu Yama Centre at 5 am on Monday to register and found it already crowded. She did not manage to register on that day because the centre only registered about a hundred people per day.

Magano, who is repeating at Namcol, wanted to register for four subjects at a cost of N$1 250, including N$90 for registration.

“I hope to get space here because this is the only centre we can register at in Windhoek, otherwise I would be forced to go to the north or get a job,” she said. She added: “My mother is only a kapana vendor, and another year of unemployment would just be a burden on her.” Another applicant, who refused to be named, but gave her age as 40, said the registration process was a bit confusing, but she managed.

“I’m doing my Grade 10 and I have small children at school and need to be a part of their schooling career, that is why I’m doing this so late,” she said.

She said she had registered for English, agriculture and entrepreneurship studies.

Sylvester Kangootui, who was there to register his sister, said the process was easy and he did not encounter any difficulties. Registration at all Namcol centres across the country is expected to end on 9 February.