University of Namibia

Lifelong Learning and Community Education must be viewed in the lenses of community development as enshrined in several United Nations (UN) and National development agendas.

Lifelong Learning and Community Education is an international trend rooted in governmental policies around the world and the programme is developed to ensure continuous delivery of knowledge, understanding, skills, attitudes, values and competencies to enhance people’s quality of life.

The education provided through Lifelong Learning and Community Education programmes is grounded in theories that acknowledge the central place of the human being within the capability approach. The capability approach provides a framework to tackle human development aspects through the transformation of knowledge, skills and competence, to address poverty, and all deprivation traps.

The Lifelong Learning and Community Education Head of Department, Dr Lydia Shaketange, explains that the Diploma programme trains community workers and officers in community related fields. “Skills and knowledge offered in the programme allows candidates to conduct feasibility studies, assess community assets, sustain community resources, entrepreneurial skills, skills to address the plight of the marginalised people”, said Dr Shaketange. The Bachelor degree candidates are provided educational opportunities to become middle managers in community- based programmes and projects. They acquire facilitation skills and are imbued with the knowledge to become master trainers of adults in various Government departments and organisations. “It is worth understanding that any employer or any individual that engages with the adult members of community, entrepreneurial skills, skills to address the plight of the marginalised people”, said Dr Shaketange. The Bachelor degree candidates are provided educational opportunities to become middle managers in community- based programmes and projects. They acquire facilitation skills and are imbued with the knowledge to become master trainers of adults in various Government departments and organisations. “It is worth understanding that any employer or any individual that engages with the adult members of community,

A tracer study that the Department of Lifelong Learning and Community Education revealed that nearly 80% of the graduates have become employed in various positions in the Government departments, Non- Government Organisations and institutions of higher learning upon completion.