How Namibia is championing younger learners

Q: Tell us about the context in your countryA: Prior to Namibia’s independence in 1990, the education system was fragmented. It focused on limited competencies like literacy and numeracy but did not address health and well-being in a holistic manner, nor human rights issues. Since our independence, the education system has changed to address and accelerate the socio-economic development of the country. We transformed the national curriculum, developing new subject materials, particularly in life skills and health education, believing that healthy bodies feed healthy minds, which are key to our country’s development.Q: Why is foundational education for health and well-being needed in your country?A: In Namibia, many learners commute to school, with some travelling or walking long distances of up to 10 kilometres or more on foot to and from school each day. Walking such distances can present many risks and challenges that may affect learners’ education negatively: these could include violence, tiredness, exhaustion and hunger, among others. If not addressed, learners may drop out of the education system, adding to the perpetuation of a cycle of poverty within our society. Education for health and well-being is key, and through it we can eliminate risks and dangers faced by learners when interacting with peers and adults, for example, when it comes to physical, sexual or psychosocial violence.Q: How has investing in health and well-being influenced the development of your educational programme?We include holistic wellness content for learners across our life skills curriculum, starting at pre-primary school through grade 12 (from ages 5-18). Key health components such as hygiene and nutrition, and sexuality education are age-appropriate, scientifically accurate and incrementally provided to learners from grade 4. A: Learners receive the necessary knowledge, skills and attitudes about their bodies and are empowered to make informed decisions. Moreover, our life skills curriculum includes content to support building healthy behaviour habits, navigating emotions and relationships, preventing diseases, and promoting psychological well-being.Q: How does this investment benefit the learners and beyond?A: Our investment in education for health and well-being is holistic. Learners benefit from education that supports them to navigate their lives as individuals and as part of their community as they develop into adults.We have made commitments to our young people’s education, health and well-being. These were cemented in the signing of the Eastern and Southern Africa Ministerial Commitment, both a promise and our bond to allocate financial resources to education, health and well-being in Namibia.Investing in foundational education on health and well-being also benefits the country’s budget as a future saving to Namibia’s health expenditure, preventing the spread of disease and illness (physical and mental) and reducing numbers of early and unintended pregnancies.Q: What advice would you give to those looking to invest in education for health and well-being?A: Education programming and curricula that progressively build on topics and themes around the health and well-being of learners in an age-appropriate manner is vital for their development and safeguarding. These are the strong foundations we need to put in place for our children’s futures and what should lead our work. Education providers and schools must ensure that learners are cared for and provided with the knowledge they need as they grow into adolescents and transition into adulthood. This means that we must invest in children’s education, health and well-being as early as possible and create safe environments for learning, curiosity and growth. Together with the community and our partners, we must safeguard their lives, their bodies and their souls while they are young so that they can live bright futures.*The 'Building Strong Foundations' is a Unesco initiative that aims to help children stay in school, keep safe, and grow up healthy to lead thriving lives.

How Namibia is championing younger learners

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-01

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How Namibia is championing younger learners

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-01

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