usaid/nambia environmental threats and opportunities assessment

treatment and care previously provided by these HIV facilities. Concern was expressed by several
individuals with respect to the quality of care and/or lack of diagnoses and treatment that would now be
in place. This issue serves as an important reminder to consider if current donor assistance for dealing
with HIV/AIDS in Namibia is reduced, which could necessitate the GRN having to take greater
financial responsibility for this epidemic with, as a result, fewer resources for conservation.
D. EDUCATION
In 2006, net primary school enrollment was estimated at 92% – a figure which has increased
dramatically since 1990 but has declined since 2003 (NPC, 2008 a) (Figure 3).
In 2004, more than half of Namibia’s labor force was unskilled and un- or semi-educated (NPC
2006).
Large differences exist regarding educational attainment between rural and urban populations.
Twenty-three percent of the population in rural areas had no formal education compared to 7%
in urban areas (ibid).
A shortage of skilled workers is recognized as one of the key impediments to growth in
productivity and accelerating economic growth (GRN 2008).
Although the literacy rate in 2006 was estimated at 93% 6 , the general competence level of
learners in Namibia is considered to be low when compared to other southern and eastern
African countries (ibid) (Figure 4). Namibia has invested heavily in the education sector since
independence and the sector’s share of the total budget has increased since 2003/04 from 18.3%
to the current 22.4% (Schade, 2010).
6 In 2005, the adult literacy rate was recorded at 82% for women and 83 % for men. However, this estimate obscures regional
differences with some regions recording that 40% of women were able to read and write (GRN 2008).
USAID/NAMIBIA ENVIRONMENTAL THREATS AND OPPORTUNITIES ASSESSMENT 21