A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Assessing the Relevance of the 1992 Namibian Language in Education Policy (NLiEP) Document
Authors: Iipinge, Kristof; Banda, Felix; Norro, Soili
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Publication year: 2025
Journal: Language Matters: Studies in the Languages of Africa
Journal name in source: Language Matters
ISSN: 1022-8195
eISSN: 1753-5395
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/10228195.2025.2512370
Web address : https://doi.org/10.1080/10228195.2025.2512370
Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/498600269
The current Namibian Language in Education Policy (NLiEP) document was first introduced in 1991 immediately after the country gained its independence. Even though this document has been in existence for more than 30 years, it has never been formally assessed or modified despite the changing socio-economic and language practices. Using four criteria (authenticity, representativeness, meaning, and credibility) suggested to evaluate documents for relevance, the article seeks to establish the relevance of the current NLiEP document. The findings suggest that the NLiEP document is out of touch with the developing multilingual realities of Namibians and the current debates on multilingual pedagogies in postcolonial Africa and the Global South generally. The article concludes with a discussion of an ideal prospective language policy document for Namibian schools.
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