Namibia High School Structure

High school education in Namibia encompasses Junior Secondary (Grades 8 and 9), and Senior Secondary (Grades 10 to 12). After completing the Namibia Senior Secondary Certificate Ordinary (NSSCO) level at the end of Grade 11, students have several options to chose from, they can either choose to continue with either vocational education and training or with distance learning or seek employment.

Those who succeed and who meet the requirements may proceed to Grade 12. In Grade 12, learners will take their subjects on Advanced Subsidiary Level, which is an admission requirement that can help them get university enrolment. Education here takes 5 years, 2 years of junior secondary education, and 3 years of senior secondary education.

• Duration of study: 5 years
• Ages                            : 13- 18 years
• Levels                          : junir secondary (grades 8 nd 9), and senior secondary (rades 10-12
• Primary Languages: English,
• Other languages: Oshivambo, Nama, Damara and Otjiherero, German, English, French, Afrikaans.
• Terms                          : 3 (1^st term- January to early April, 2nd Term- May to August, and 3^rd Term September to December)
• Admission Term: 1st Term (January)

Junior secondary school- The junior secondary phase comprises grades 8 and 9. The curriculum at this phase comprises nine promotional subjects of which six are core promotional subjects and three elective promotional subjects (a 2^nd language and two technical and vocational subjects), and five support subjects. The curriculum is diverse and has core and elective subjects including academic and pre-vocational subjects. These are as follows:

Six compulsory promotional subjects- English, Mathematics, Life Science, Physical Science, Geography and History

Elective subjects- Another Language (First, Second or Foreign language), Agriculture, Computer Studies, Design and Technology, Accounting, Office Practice, Entrepreneurship, Visual Art, Integrated Performing Arts, Hospitality, Home Economics, Fashion and Fabrics, Technical Studies A, B and C Subjects (Metalwork and Welding, Woodwork, Building Studies, Electricity and Electronics, Motor-mechanics) and Technical Drawing.

Support subjects- Life Skills, Arts, Religious and Moral Education, Information and Communication and Physical Education

Senior Secondary School- The senior secondary phase comprises grades 10 to 12. It comprises the National Senior Secondary Ordinary Level Course and the National Senior Secondary Higher Level Course.

For The National Senior Secondary Ordinary Level course, the student will take two promotional core subjects, four promotional elective subjects, and four support subjects. The curriculum comprises of the following:

Core subjects- English, Mathematics or Advanced Mathematics

Elective subjects: - Another Language (First, Second or Foreign), Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Geography, History, Agriculture, Computer Studies, Design and Technology, Accounting, Office Practice, Business Studies, Economics, Entrepreneurship, Development Studies, Art and Design, Hospitality, Home Economics, Fashion and Fabrics, Metalwork and Welding, Woodwork, Bricklaying and Plastering, Electricity and Electronics, Motor-Mechanics and Plumbing and Pipe Fitting and Technical Drawing, Health and Social Care and Hairdressing.

Support subjects- Life Skills, Arts, Information and Communication, Physical Education.

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The National Senior Secondary Higher Level Course is benchmarked against the Cambridge Advanced Subsidiary (AS). At this level, the student will take four to six promotional elective subjects (of which one of the elective subjects must be a language), and four support subjects.

Students will take any first, second, and third language.

Elective subjects- Biology, Geography, History, Computer Studies, Mathematics, Agricultural Sciences, Business Studies, Economics, Chemistry, Physics, Design and Technology, Accounting, Entrepreneurship, Art and Design, Home Economics, and Fashion and Fabrics.

Support subjects- Life Skills, Arts, Information and Communication, and Physical Education.

Examples of International Secondary Schools in Namibia.

International schools are the ideal solution for international students in a foreign land. The schools also enroll local students but are well geared for an international student body, usually following an international curriculum model. Some of these schools include:

Windhoek International School (WIS)

Thisis a coeducational day secondary school located in Windhoek. The school offers educational programs for children from the early year’s program through to the 13^th year. It is the only school in Namibia to follow an academic year that runs from mid-August to mid-June with two semesters comprising of 4 terms. The medium of instruction used here is English with French, German, and Portuguese offered as first and second languages. Other mother-tongue languages are also offered in the afternoon programs.

• Established: 1990
• Address: Scheppmann Street, Pioneerspark, Private Bag 16007 Windhoek, Namibia
• Tuition Range: N$ 25 473 – 162 042 per year
• Accreditation: Association of International Schools in Africa (AISA), Council of British International Schools (COBIS), and New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).
• Terms: 4 (mid-August to mid-June)

In Grades 9 and 10, the school offers the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) from Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) and the International Baccalaureate Diploma in Grade 11 and 12. The school’s IGCSE curriculum allows students to take 8 or 9 subjects focusing on areas including Languages, Mathematics, Sciences, Humanities, and Creative, Vocational, and Technical studies. The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) is intended for students in their last two years of Secondary education who plan to pursue post-secondary education.

Tuition and fees

The following fees are applicable for students in the secondary education

Grades                                                Standard Rate                                   Local Rate

Grade 8                                               228 000                                               93 500

Grade 9                                               252 000                                               104 500

Grade 10                                             252 000                                               115 500

Grade 11                                             290 100                                               126 500

Grade 12                                             290 100                                               137 500

Other costs

Capital levy (yearly)                            7 000                                                   7 000

Enrolment fee (once-off)                    11 500                                                 11 500

St. Paul's College

This is an International co-educational Christian school located in Windhoek, offering education for grades 1 to 12. English is the primary language of instruction and Afrikaans and German are also offered as a 2nd language. The school’s academics are based on the Namibian Curriculum.

• Established: 1962
• Grades: 1-12
• Type: Private non-profit, Christian
• Address: 393 Sam Nujoma Drive, Windhoek, Namibia
• Tuition Rates: N$ 37 460 – 51 400 per year

The school follows the Cambridge Assessment and International Examinations Advanced Subsidiary Level syllabuses in Grade 12. The school is regarded as one of the top academic schools in Namibia. Here you can find departments including the pure Science (Mathematics, Science), the Arts (Fine Art, Languages, History), the Commerce subjects (Accounting, Economics), and the Natural Sciences (Biology and Geography) departments.

The curriculum here offers a broad range of subjects taken at different grades as follows:

1. Grade 7 and 8- students learn the following subjects:

Core subjects- English as a First Language, An additional language (Afrikaans, French, and German), Mathematics, Biology, Science, and ICT

Additional Subjects- Geography, History, Commerce, Art and Design, Drama, Music

Enrichment subjects- Global Perspectives, Entrepreneurship

Non-examinable subjects- Life Skills, Religious Education, and Physical Education

1. 2.      Grade 9- This is where the IGCSE curriculum starts.Students here continue with 8 subjects as follows:

Core subjects- English (as a First Language), an additional language, Mathematics, Biology

Additional Subjects- 4 additional subjects to be chosen from the following 8 subjects: History, Geography, Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Accounting, Art and Design, Economics, and ICT.

1. 3.      Upper School- Grades 10 to 12- at this level theStudents continue with six subjects. These subjects are studied at IGCSE and AS level

Core Subjects- English (as a First Language), an additional language, Mathematics

Additional Subjects- 3 additional subjects are to be chosen from the subjects below:

Chemistry, Physics, History, Geography, Accounting, Art and Design, and Economics

Sports activities- St Paul’s College offers a variety of sports activities including Athletics, Hockey, Netball, Soccer, Volleyball, Social Tennis, and Cricket. These are played competitively and recreationally. The Teams regularly compete in league competitions and school tournaments.

St. George's Diocesan School

This is An English language international Christian school offering education from pre-primary to college level. Afrikaans and German are offered as a 2nd language.

• Established: 1919
• Address: 17 - 21 Sinclair Road, Windhoek, Namibia
• Tuition Range: N$ 33 100- 50 650 per year
• Primary Languages: English, and local languages
• Terms  : 3

The school offers a wide range of sporting and cultural activities. The school believes that sport helps students to develop healthy and active lifestyles. Sporting activities include Archery, Athletics, Basketball, Chess, Cricket, Hockey, Mountain Bike Club, Netball, Rugby, and Soccer. Cultural activities include Public Speaking, Debate, Music Group, Choir, and Drama, to mention but a few.

1. 1.      Lower Secondary (Grade 8)

Compulsory- English First Language, an Additional Language – Afrikaans or German, Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics, and Biology

Additional Non-examinable subjects- Art and Design, Music, Physical Education, Life Skills, and Digital Intelligence (DI)

1. 2.      Upper Secondary (IGCSE)- (Grade 9-11)

Compulsory subjects- English First Language, Additional Language- Afrikaans or German, and Mathematics

4 Choice Subjects- Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Economics, Geography, Accounting, Art and Design, Music, Business Studies, and Computer Science

Additional Non-exam subjects- Physical Education, and Life Skills

1. 3.      Advanced (AS Level) - Grade 12- Students at this stage take a minimum of 4 subjects provided they have achieved a minimum of a C in the IGCSE examination.
2. 4.      Advanced Level- Grade 13- Students at this level must achieve an A in AS Level to be able to take a subject at A-Level. Subjects offered include Mathematics, Chemistry, Biology and Physics.

Tuition and Fees- parents and guardians should note the following fees for secondary school.

Fees for Namibians

Grade 8                       N$71 805                    N$7 180                      N$68 215

Grade 9                       N$75 795                    N$7 580                      N$72 005

Grade 10 -12               N$78 015                   N$7 800                      N$74 115

Advanced Levels        N$27 300 per subject per annum

Non-Namibian

Grade 8                       N$114 888                  N$11 489                    N$109 144

Grade 9                       N$121 274                  N$12 127                    N$115 210

Grade 10 -12               N$124 824                  N$12 482                    N$118 583

Advanced Levels        N$43 680 per subject per annum