Curriculum Research and Development
The division for Curriculum Research and Development is responsible for developing the curriculum and the assessment system, and new syllabuses for individual subjects. New subjects emerge to meet new needs, and existing subjects must be adapted to new circumstances, new knowledge and new approaches.

Languages
Namibia is a country rich in languages but their development has been unequal. The languages subdivisions will ensure that syllabuses and teaching materials are available for all languages and relevant to the needs of the learners.
The introduction of English as the medium of instruction for Grades 4 to 12 requires new approaches and materials to prepare the teachers and learners for the new medium.

Professional and Resource Development
This division is responsible for two other major areas of education: improving the knowledge and skills of the teaching profession and educational managers, and educational research. A resource centre will be administered by this division. It will be a resource for NIED officials, regional officers, and public.

Pre-service teacher education
The development of pre-service teacher education is done in cooperation with the colleges of education and the University of Namibia. NIED initiates the development of new curricula, brings in resource persons to support reforms, and ensures input and feedback from the school system.

In-service teacher education
The new curricula for pre-service teacher education also apply to the in-service training of teachers. This division is establishing, and will give guidance to, teachers’ resource Centres at regional, district and local levels. These resource Centres will give in-service training and support to teachers in the everyday school situation.

Research
Research is essential to the development of education, and research specialists are attached to this division. They investigate various aspects of the process of educational development and innovation, so that curricula, materials, teaching and management are continually improved.

How Does NIED Work?
NIED has an active involvement in education in the country through networks and partnerships. Some of these are with teachers, schools, resource centre, environmental education Centres, other parts of the Ministry of Education and the Regional Offices. NIED also links up with top national resources in education such as the colleges of education, the university and the polytechnic. Other linkages include ministries, non-governmental organizations, unions, employers, and more. NIED is also part of several international networks for educational research and development.

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National Networks
One of the most important networks is the system of curriculum panels for school subjects. These panels are nationally representative, and consist of teachers from schools and colleges, the university, advisory teachers, and others.
Several important networks link up the division for Professional and Resource Development with the colleges of education, and with the teachers’ resource Centres and the Regional Offices, for in-service teacher education.

Wide Participation
When innovations are planned and implemented, representative working groups are set up, and draft documents are sent out for discussion. It is a fundamental working principle of NIED, that changes are made on the basis of wide participation and involvement. The process of change must be democratic.

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