Namibia Declares War on Learning Poverty

By Staff Reporter

Namibia has taken a bold step in reshaping its education system with the official launch of the End Learning Poverty for All in Africa campaign on Thursday.

Speaking at the launch event in Outjo, Prime Minister, Dr. Elijah Ngurare who delivered the speech on behalf of President Dr. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah declared the campaign a national priority and a defining mission for the country’s future.

The initiative, championed by the African Union and supported by global partners, aims to ensure that every African child can read and understand a simple text by the age of 10. Namibia is one of 25 countries selected for the campaign’s first phase.

“This is not just the start of a campaign,” President Nandi-Ndaitwah said, “it is a powerful reaffirmation of our belief in the dignity and potential of every child in Namibia and across Africa.”

She described learning poverty as a continental emergency, citing concerning statistics that reveal millions of African children are unable to master basic literacy and numeracy skills. “No society can flourish when its youngest citizens cannot grasp the basic tools of learning,” She stated.

The President stressed that foundational education basic reading, writing, and arithmetic is central to national development, and that no child should be left behind, regardless of their background or location.

In her remarks, she outlined Namibia’s strategy, which includes: Curriculum reforms, Investment in early childhood development, Teacher training and National assessments such as the Early Grade Reading Assessment (EGRA).

She also reaffirmed Namibia’s commitment to Sustainable Development Goal 4, the Continental Education Strategy for Africa, and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.

“Foundational learning is the infrastructure of the mind,” the President emphasized, adding that economic growth, democracy, and innovation all depend on a population that can read and think critically.

Namibia has already allocated N$24.8 billion, or 23.4% of its national budget, to the Ministry of Education, with more than N$12 billion annually committed to pre-primary and primary schooling. This surpasses both global and regional benchmarks for education spending.

The President called for special focus on vulnerable groups such as children with disabilities, learners in remote areas, and those who face language barriers. “Education must be inclusive, relevant, and accessible to all,” she said.

Nandi-Ndaitwah also urged all sectors government, civil society, private companies, and international partners to rally behind the campaign. “Ending learning poverty requires all of us. Let us walk this journey boldly. Let Namibia be a beacon of hope for foundational learning across Africa.”

The campaign launch concluded with a passionate appeal to children and teachers alike: “Your dreams matter. Your work is powerful. Let us rise together to make learning a right, not a privilege.”

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