Over N$503 million for new schools, hostels and libraries

The education ministry has allocated more than N$503 million toward the construction, upgrading and equipping of schools, hostels and libraries across Namibia, according to the development budget for the 2025/26 financial year.A key focus of this allocation is the early childhood and primary education phases. The budget earmarks N$98 million for the construction of 157 pre-primary classrooms nationwide, with N$60 million provided through a grant from the European Union and N$38 million drawn from the ministry’s resources.This investment supports the ongoing formalisation of early childhood development (ECD) into the national education system, with technical assistance from the EU and Unicef.The ministry has confirmed it is working in collaboration with the gender as well as health and social services ministries to oversee this transition, ensuring a smooth alignment of community-based ECD centres with formal education structures.Rather than taking over the centres, the ministry aims to provide oversight, develop standards and enhance support through school feeding and improved stimulation services. Enhance learning Feeding programmes will be extended to reach 37 000 children this year, and standardised playgrounds are being introduced at several ECD centres, the ministry announced.Further support for young learners includes the distribution of 1 571 ECD kits valued at nearly N$4 million, with an additional 3 142 kits to be procured next year. These efforts aim to enhance the quality of teaching and learning materials, particularly in rural areas.The budget also supports the expansion of primary education infrastructure, with large-scale construction planned in multiple areas. A total of N$200 million has been allocated for the general upgrading of basic education facilities, and N$105 million will go toward establishing hostel schools to improve accommodation and access for learners in remote areas.In response to questions on project delivery, the ministry clarified that its total development budget for education infrastructure stands at N$845 million. Of this amount, N$200 million is dedicated to basic education facilities, covering classroom additions, administrative blocks, workshops and laboratories at existing schools.A further N$75 million has been allocated for routine maintenance under a programme known as Renovations Nationwide.N$131 million will go toward infrastructure projects emerging from the National Education Conference, including the development of hostel blocks and other vital facilities.The ministry explained that funds are largely decentralised to regional councils, which manage the rollout of projects at the local level. Better teachers The ministry is also advancing its goal to professionalise teaching through in-service training, the finalisation of the Teaching Professions Act, and the establishment of a professional teachers’ council. The bill will regulate the profession by introducing a national standard for teacher qualifications, course offerings and registration requirements.This reform aims to eliminate unqualified teaching while enabling Namibian educators to access accredited international qualifications. The council will also oversee teacher development, implement a continuous professional development framework and review the code of conduct and professional standards, with the broader goal of improving teaching quality and learner outcomes.For the readersLibraries and archives are receiving renewed attention, with N$46.1 million allocated for the maintenance and upgrading of 65 public and school libraries, as well as the National Library and National Archives. The ministry is focusing on the provision of age-appropriate books, electronic resources, digitisation equipment and new computers, including assistive technologies for visually impaired users. The Ngoma Regional Library is among those set to benefit.According to the ministry, library services are being aligned with national educational goals that promote literacy, lifelong learning and digital inclusion. Plans are underway to upgrade ICT infrastructure and internet connectivity in libraries, helping bridge the digital divide and provide more equitable access to information in underserved regions.

Over N$503 million for new schools, hostels and libraries

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-01

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Over N$503 million for new schools, hostels and libraries

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-01

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