Education tops national budget as free varsity education looms
Namibia has allocated the largest share of its 2025/26 national budget — N$24.8 billion — to education, alongside N$25 billion for infrastructure upgrades and a pledge to introduce free higher and vocational education from 2026.
The government also plans to fully integrate early childhood development (ECD) into mainstream schooling by 2027.
These commitments were underscored on Friday in Swakopmund during the commemoration of the Day of the Namibian Child, held under the theme “Planning and budgeting for children’s rights: Progress since 2010.”
Education at the centre
Education, Innovation, Sports, Youth, Arts and Culture Minister Sanet Steenkamp said the theme demanded an honest reflection on whether Namibia’s planning and budgeting were genuinely child-centred.
She highlighted the obligations of the Basic Education Act, which requires legislative, institutional, and budgetary measures to safeguard children’s rights. Strengthening the education system through infrastructure upgrades and policy reforms remained a priority, she said, with ECD set to be integrated into mainstream schooling by 2027.
Steenkamp added that from 2026, free education will be extended to state-owned higher education and vocational training institutions.
“As we move forward, we must undertake a national assessment to ensure that our planning and budgeting processes are truly child-centred,” she said.
Japan’s backing
Japan’s long-standing partnership with Namibia in education was also highlighted. The country’s chargé d’affaires, Noriaki Sadamoto, said Japan’s approach responded directly to Namibia’s call to invest in children.
Japan has funded the construction of more than 300 classrooms and deployed 173 volunteers — many of them teachers — since 2006. Recent projects include the handover of two new school buildings at Omaruru in June, with further handovers planned in Kavango East, Zambezi and at the University of Namibia.
Persistent challenges
Deputy Gender Equality and Child Welfare Minister Linda Mbwale said that despite progress, children still face serious challenges such as poverty, malnutrition, unequal access to education and healthcare, child marriage, child labour, and gender-based violence. Vulnerabilities are particularly acute among children with disabilities, those in remote rural areas, and those living on the streets.
She urged government to increase allocations for child-focused sectors and to ensure budget transparency. “Make budget information accessible and transparent so that even children can understand and hold us accountable,” she said.
‘Seize the opportunity’
Unicef country representative Samuel Ocran stressed shared responsibility.
“The government is providing the enabling environment to enable you to grow. And it is your responsibility to seize that opportunity,” he said.
“Namibia can only be built by you. It will take a combined effort of families, communities, civil society, partners, and young people themselves to turn this pledge into a reality.”
The government also plans to fully integrate early childhood development (ECD) into mainstream schooling by 2027.
These commitments were underscored on Friday in Swakopmund during the commemoration of the Day of the Namibian Child, held under the theme “Planning and budgeting for children’s rights: Progress since 2010.”
Education at the centre
Education, Innovation, Sports, Youth, Arts and Culture Minister Sanet Steenkamp said the theme demanded an honest reflection on whether Namibia’s planning and budgeting were genuinely child-centred.
She highlighted the obligations of the Basic Education Act, which requires legislative, institutional, and budgetary measures to safeguard children’s rights. Strengthening the education system through infrastructure upgrades and policy reforms remained a priority, she said, with ECD set to be integrated into mainstream schooling by 2027.
Steenkamp added that from 2026, free education will be extended to state-owned higher education and vocational training institutions.
“As we move forward, we must undertake a national assessment to ensure that our planning and budgeting processes are truly child-centred,” she said.
Japan’s backing
Japan’s long-standing partnership with Namibia in education was also highlighted. The country’s chargé d’affaires, Noriaki Sadamoto, said Japan’s approach responded directly to Namibia’s call to invest in children.
Japan has funded the construction of more than 300 classrooms and deployed 173 volunteers — many of them teachers — since 2006. Recent projects include the handover of two new school buildings at Omaruru in June, with further handovers planned in Kavango East, Zambezi and at the University of Namibia.
Persistent challenges
Deputy Gender Equality and Child Welfare Minister Linda Mbwale said that despite progress, children still face serious challenges such as poverty, malnutrition, unequal access to education and healthcare, child marriage, child labour, and gender-based violence. Vulnerabilities are particularly acute among children with disabilities, those in remote rural areas, and those living on the streets.
She urged government to increase allocations for child-focused sectors and to ensure budget transparency. “Make budget information accessible and transparent so that even children can understand and hold us accountable,” she said.
‘Seize the opportunity’
Unicef country representative Samuel Ocran stressed shared responsibility.
“The government is providing the enabling environment to enable you to grow. And it is your responsibility to seize that opportunity,” he said.
“Namibia can only be built by you. It will take a combined effort of families, communities, civil society, partners, and young people themselves to turn this pledge into a reality.”
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