State funding for private schools under review
Ministry revisits subsidies
Elizabeth KheibesWINDHOEK
The education ministry says Namibia’s previous model for subsidising private schools led to increased inequality in the education system and is now under review.Education minister Sanet Steenkamp told Namibian Sun last month that the ministry is revisiting its funding approach after accountability failures and widening gaps between private and public schools were identified under the earlier model.
“Previously, the funding that has been given to private schools really increased the highest level of inequities. It exacerbated the issue of inequities and injustice,” she said. “Therefore, the government ... came up with what we have, a grant policy of distributing funds to public and private schools.”
Steenkamp emphasised that state subsidies must align with the Education Act, which allows private schools to apply for funding but does not guarantee preferential treatment.
“In our grant policy, we made it clear that no private school will receive more funding than a government school. For example, if the funding per child in a government school is N$400 for a secondary learner, private schools will also get N$400 per secondary school learner,” she explained.
The minister added that past disbursements, previously paid directly to private schools, often fell short on accountability requirements. “There must be an accountability report, and clearly some things were just not appropriately provided for by many of the private schools,” she said.
She added: “The previous funding model was found not to be in the interest, even of the 10% of learners who are there.”
With the system under review, Steenkamp said the ministry is still working on “modalities” for future subsidies. “It is too early to answer these questions right now, but what I give you is what I know specifically. Once we have the full information, we will come back to you or any other public member who wishes to have information around this,” she said.
Creative strategy
In addition, the ministry will on 8 December launch national consultations on the draft Namibia Cultural and Creative Industries Strategy 2025–2030, which aims to reposition the creative economy as a driver of national development, innovation and job creation.
The launch, set for the National Theatre of Namibia foyer in Windhoek, will outline how the strategy seeks to strengthen arts and culture infrastructure, develop creative hubs, improve access to funding, expand skills development, and promote the country’s cultural diversity and heritage.
Government will also announce the establishment of the Namibia Cultural and Creative Industry Council (NCCIC) at the event. The council will serve as a multi-sector advisory body responsible for providing strategic leadership and oversight in implementing the strategy, ensuring collaboration across government, industry, academia, civil society, and creative practitioners.
The ministry says the council’s work will support sustainable development and strengthen local employment opportunities within Namibia’s growing cultural and creative sector.
The education ministry says Namibia’s previous model for subsidising private schools led to increased inequality in the education system and is now under review.Education minister Sanet Steenkamp told Namibian Sun last month that the ministry is revisiting its funding approach after accountability failures and widening gaps between private and public schools were identified under the earlier model.
“Previously, the funding that has been given to private schools really increased the highest level of inequities. It exacerbated the issue of inequities and injustice,” she said. “Therefore, the government ... came up with what we have, a grant policy of distributing funds to public and private schools.”
Steenkamp emphasised that state subsidies must align with the Education Act, which allows private schools to apply for funding but does not guarantee preferential treatment.
“In our grant policy, we made it clear that no private school will receive more funding than a government school. For example, if the funding per child in a government school is N$400 for a secondary learner, private schools will also get N$400 per secondary school learner,” she explained.
The minister added that past disbursements, previously paid directly to private schools, often fell short on accountability requirements. “There must be an accountability report, and clearly some things were just not appropriately provided for by many of the private schools,” she said.
She added: “The previous funding model was found not to be in the interest, even of the 10% of learners who are there.”
With the system under review, Steenkamp said the ministry is still working on “modalities” for future subsidies. “It is too early to answer these questions right now, but what I give you is what I know specifically. Once we have the full information, we will come back to you or any other public member who wishes to have information around this,” she said.
Creative strategy
In addition, the ministry will on 8 December launch national consultations on the draft Namibia Cultural and Creative Industries Strategy 2025–2030, which aims to reposition the creative economy as a driver of national development, innovation and job creation.
The launch, set for the National Theatre of Namibia foyer in Windhoek, will outline how the strategy seeks to strengthen arts and culture infrastructure, develop creative hubs, improve access to funding, expand skills development, and promote the country’s cultural diversity and heritage.
Government will also announce the establishment of the Namibia Cultural and Creative Industry Council (NCCIC) at the event. The council will serve as a multi-sector advisory body responsible for providing strategic leadership and oversight in implementing the strategy, ensuring collaboration across government, industry, academia, civil society, and creative practitioners.
The ministry says the council’s work will support sustainable development and strengthen local employment opportunities within Namibia’s growing cultural and creative sector.
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