N$28 billion budgeted for education

New era
Parliament debated a N$28 billion education budget aimed at reducing inequality through standardised infrastructure, improved digital access and expanded vocational training, though concerns remain about implementation and sustainability.
Marina Antonio
  • 23 Hours Ago

A massive budget has been tabled for the 2026/27 financial year, sparking debate in Parliament. The goal is to ensure that every Namibian learner, from the remote corners of Kunene and //Kharas to the urban areas of Khomas, has access to a modernised, inclusive and digital-ready education system.

During the session, Members of Parliament (MPs) and education minister Sanet Steenkamp discussed how this investment will address the educational crisis, which includes infrastructure deficits, digital inequality and job-market misalignment.

One of the most significant issues discussed was the inconsistency in school infrastructure. To address this, Steenkamp highlighted the need for a “blueprint” strategy under the Infrastructure Development Plan.

“We need a blueprint where you can take the same hostel from here to another, so that you don’t construct one school for N$120 million and another for N$20 billion.”

By standardising school and hostel designs, the ministry intends to stretch the budget, ensuring that hostels are prioritised so that distance is no longer a barrier for rural learners.

Speaking to this publication, Anria van Tonder (18) stated: “The government should focus on supporting our less advantaged, like disadvantaged communities, the communities who are unable to afford education.”

For the youth, the most pressing concern remains the “digital gap”. MPs raised concerns over the shortage of computer-trained teachers in rural areas as well as the lack of internet connectivity, with the job market becoming increasingly tech-heavy.

With only 24 technical and vocational schools currently active, the House agreed that more must be done to link classrooms to careers. While some urged NAMCOL to be repositioned as a full-time institution, Steenkamp said that such a move is not sustainable. Instead, N$14 million has been injected into NAMCOL for block classes and face-to-face tutoring, keeping it flexible for distance learners.