Namibia PDNA 2009 - GFDRR

The 2008 EFA Global Monitoring Report notes that the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in pre-primary education has improved
substantially since 1999, Namibia being a country with previously low or moderate level of participation.
Literacy
The 2008 MDG Progress Report also indicated that the literacy rate (93 percent) has not seen much progress, and it is unlikely
that the target of 100 percent will be reached by 2012. Furthermore, based on the Southern and Eastern African Consortium for
Monitoring Education Quality (SACMEQ) reports, the general competence level of learners in Namibia is low as compared to other
southern and eastern African countries.
As a result, both NDP3 and ETSIP are targeting for pro-poor expansion of secondary education and increased enrolments. NDP3
is especially committed to improving the NER for primary education to 99.1 percent and for secondary education to 65.4 percent
by 2012.
Table 79: Number of schools in the affected Regions
Education
Region
School level and number of children enrolled
Primary Combined Secondary Total
Schools Children Schools Children Schools Children Schools Children
Caprivi 47 18,620 38 12 8,154 97 26,774
Kavango 266 54,891 52 12 14,815 330 69,706
Ohangwena 127 23,740 90 18 23,740 235 47,480
Omusati 147 60,731 98 24 25,837 269 86,568
Oshana 66 33,164 50 16 18,410 132 51,574
Oshikoto 121 39,617 52 15 16,845 188 56,462
Total 774 230,763 380 97 107,801 1,251 338,564
The NDP3 is a five-year strategic plan for the entire nation, aimed at making progress towards achieving the national long-term
development goals. Within the framework of NDP3, the education sector is tasked to provide an increased supply of middle to high
level skilled labour to meet market ands over the next five years.
Orphans and vulnerable children
Even though the Education Sector Policy for orphans and vulnerable children is in place, there are only 1,070 handicapped children
registered in Namibian schools. An estimated 27,000 of the handicapped children are still out of school. Furthermore, children of the
most marginalized group of the Namibian communities, the San, are still out of school (ETSIP Technical Discussions, May 28, 2009).
Education for sustainable development
For Namibia, education for sustainable development (ESD) is key to a comprehensive education sector response to natural disasters.
Sustainable development is understood as development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability
of future generations to meet their own needs. An integrated approach to disaster risk reduction should include capacity building
activities for Education Officers and Government officials on disaster preparedness, prevention and mitigation in order to avoid and/
or reduce the negative effects of future disaster situations.
Education financing
The Government has invested in the education sector over many years, and about 25 percent of the national budget is allocated to
education in 2008/2009 and 21 percent for 2009/2010 financial year. For the 2008/2009 financial year, 50 percent of the education
budget was allocated to pre-primary and primary education. The 2008 MDG Progress Report notes that this investment has led to
higher accessibility of schools and better facilities even though teachers’ salaries absorb most of the funds.
103