Kunene: Nearly 4 in 10 adults cannot read or write

Nearly four in 10 adults living in the Kunene region cannot read or write, regional governor Vipuakuje Muharukua said during his State of the Region address this week.

"Education remains our biggest weakness as a region," he said, adding that the region's literacy rate stands at 63.9%, well below the national average of 91%.

He described a lack of access to education as the region's greatest challenge, warning that achieving Vision 2030 would remain difficult without urgent improvements in learning outcomes.

The region ranked last nationally with a 23% pass rate in the 2025 Namibia Senior Secondary Certificate Ordinary and Advanced Subsidiary (NSSCO/AS) examinations.

Muharukua said the low literacy rate remains significantly below the level required to support economic growth, job creation and skills development, particularly as the region positions itself for expansion in mining, agriculture, tourism and logistics.

He warned that low literacy also limits opportunities for young people, especially in rural communities where access to schools, teaching resources and education infrastructure remains uneven.

Pressure on a young population

The governor said the challenge is particularly concerning because more than 97 000 of Kunene's 120 762 residents are under the age of 40 – a youthful population he called an opportunity, but only if education outcomes improve. Without stronger learning outcomes, he warned, many young people will struggle to participate meaningfully in emerging industries such as mining and planned agricultural hubs.

The literacy challenge comes at a time when Kunene is also grappling with a 36.6% youth unemployment rate.

Muharukua said government remains committed to strengthening education infrastructure, improving access to learning and creating better opportunities for learners.

He stressed, however, that leadership, communities and families must also play their part in ensuring children remain in school and complete their studies.