Also known as: Ministry of Education · The Ministry of Education
Government ministry overseeing education, youth, sport, arts and culture; restructuring departments and managing national music awards since 2026.
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Windhoek Observer
The government issued directive ordering universities to allow NSFAF-funded students to sit for examinations and access results
“The government's directive ordering universities and other higher education institutions to allow Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF)-funded students to sit for examinations and access their academic results is both welcome and necessary.”
Students should not pay the price for administrative failureWindhoek Observer
Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture implements the Certificate in Basic Pre-Vocational Skills programme through the National Institute for Educational Development
“The programme is implemented by the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture through the National Institute for Educational Development and provides practical vocational and life skills training in areas such as bricklaying, plumbing, office practice, food preparation, housekeeping, educare, fashion and clothing.”
VP champions vocational skills as path to jobsThe Namibian
Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture was highlighted as key supporter of the ecosystem
“Institutions highlighted as key supporters of the ecosystem included the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB), the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture and the Namibia office of German development agency GIZ.”
Namibia drops in Africa, global startup rankingsThe Namibian
Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture handed over youth and sports functions to regional councils
“Minister of urban and rural development James Sankwasa made these remarks during the official handover of youth and sports functions from the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture to regional councils at Otjiwarongo on Wednesday.”
Youth, sports functions handed over to regional councilsThe Namibian
Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture plans to identify opportunities and guide the institute's long-term development
“The Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture now plans to identify opportunities and guide the institute's long-term development.”
Former exile school in Congo to get new lease on lifeThe Namibian
Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture continues to coordinate engagements with line ministries and regional authorities for sport facilities development
“A statement by the NPC titled 'Engagements on the Progress of Sports Facilities' reads that the commission, in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture, continues to coordinate engagements with line ministries and regional authorities to ensure the timely development and upgrading of sport facilities across all regions.”
Sport facilities drive gathers paceThe Namibian
Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture says the Basic Education Act allows individual schools to set their own rules
“The Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture says while there is no policy prohibiting pupils from bringing food to school hostels, the Basic Education Act allows individual schools to set their own rules.”
Education ministry backs school’s hostel food ban as parents raise hunger concernsThe Namibian
Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture supports the school's hostel food ban intervention
“The ministry supports this intervention as a necessary and restorative measure aimed at promoting cleanliness, discipline and the overall psychological well-being of all pupils.”
Education ministry backs school’s hostel food ban as parents raise hunger concernsNew Era
The Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture convened a meeting with Netball Namibia on 17 April
“The meeting was convened after concerns were raised by various stakeholders regarding the selection process of the national U/19 team earmarked for the AUSC Region 5 Youth Games.”
U/19 team retained …Ministry, Netball Namibia resolve selection rowThe Namibian
Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture says the reintroduced trimester system is improving learning outcomes
“The Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture says the reintroduced trimester system is improving learning outcomes, although concerns remain over safety and access for some pupils.”
Ministry backs trimester system revivalThe Namibia Football Association has formally proposed amendments to the Sports Act and the establishment of a dedicated national sports levy of N$5 from employees and employers monthly, arguing that current legislation no longer adequately supports the governance and sustainability of sport in Namibia and that the levy would provide sustainable funding to reduce reliance on government grants.
23 July 2026 · New Era →
The Namibia Football Association has formally proposed amendments to the Sports Act and the establishment of a dedicated national sports levy of N$5 from employees and employers monthly, arguing that current legislation no longer adequately supports the governance and sustainability of sport in Namibia and that the levy would provide sustainable funding to reduce reliance on government grants.
23 July 2026 · New Era →
The ministry of education ordered the immediate closure of Ebenezer Royal Primary School in Omuthiya Circuit after learning it had been operating without registration since 2022. The closure follows rape charges against the school's former administrator, 42-year-old Franz Johannes, who appeared in court on seven counts of rape involving children aged between five and ten years.
23 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The government distributed N$774 000 to athletes and coaches for medal-winning performances in the first quarter of 2026 across athletics, wrestling, full contact, inline hockey and Special Olympics Namibia. The Namibia Sports Commission said rewards are distributed under a Cabinet-approved 2018 policy based on defined criteria, replacing an ad hoc system that existed before 2018.
22 July 2026 · The Namibian →
101 learners from Witkop Primary School were clinically assessed at St Mary's District Hospital in Rehoboth after developing gastrointestinal symptoms following consumption of fish cakes at GoodHope Hostel on 9 July 2026; 19 required admissions due to dehydration. Preliminary laboratory results indicated Salmonella bacteria, with investigations ongoing into the cause.
21 July 2026 · New Era →
The Namibian reports that Namibia's traditional music communities are systematically excluded from commercial benefits when their ancestral songs and rituals are recorded and licensed by outsiders, receiving minimal compensation while those with recording equipment profit from their heritage.
18 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia's Football Association is seeking formal government commitment to pursue a regional bid to co-host the 2028 Africa Cup of Nations alongside South Africa, Botswana, and Zimbabwe. The NFA says its main infrastructure challenge is ensuring a CAF-compliant stadium is ready by 2028.
15 July 2026 · The Namibian →
The government has denied allegations that six-year-old Ingrid Maasdorp was abducted from school or that education authorities were negligent, in response to a N$2.2 million civil claim filed by her grandmother. The government argues that Ingrid did not attend school on the day she disappeared and was therefore not under the school's care.
14 July 2026 · Namibian Sun →
The Namibian Football Association's hopes of co-hosting the 2028 Africa Cup of Nations with South Africa, Botswana, and Zimbabwe depend on government formal commitment and ensuring stadiums are ready by 2028. The NFA secretary general said Namibia meets several CAF infrastructure requirements but its main challenge is having a CAF-compliant stadium available.
14 July 2026 · The Namibian →
A Namibian delegation has begun a five-day mission to South Africa to arrange the exhumation and repatriation of two former Robben Island prisoners buried in Cape Town. The delegation, which includes traditional authorities, former prisoners, family members, and government officials, is meeting South African counterparts to discuss legal, cultural, technical and logistical arrangements.
12 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Beki-Kumata fishing company has completed two hostel blocks at Cocoma Primary School in Kavango East but says they cannot be occupied until the Ministry of Education completes ablution facilities. The company allocated N$350,000 towards the hostel construction.
12 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Capricorn Foundation has committed N$5 million to support early childhood development over the next three years through a partnership led by the Ministry of Education and the Education Outcomes Fund, with the programme expected to reach more than 2,500 children by its launch in 2027 using an outcomes-based financing model.
8 July 2026 · The Namibian →
The Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture is holding a week-long restructuring workshop in Ongwediva (6–11 July) to align the Department of Youth, Sport and National Service with its expanded mandate. Executive director Gerard Vries said the exercise aims to build an effective department capable of implementing government priorities on youth empowerment and sport development.
7 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia's sport bodies have condemned the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture's decision to suspend all financial support to recognised sport federations and umbrella organisations, calling it a serious setback that threatens athlete development, competitions and employment. The suspension came after the ministry cited mounting financial constraints in a letter dated 15 June, despite having set aside approximately N$13.5 million for sport development programmes in April.
7 July 2026 · The Namibian →
The agriculture ministry spokesperson said that the ministry does not decide which schools receive boreholes; that selection rests with the education ministry, which funds the programme while agriculture provides technical support during implementation.
6 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Mobile Telecommunications Company (MTC) has handed over all intellectual property, copyright, audio, and visual material of the Namibian Annual Music Awards (NAMAs) to the ministry of education, innovation, youth, sport, arts and culture, marking the end of MTC's and the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation's decade-long management of the awards.
3 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
A consultant hired to advise on renovating Windhoek's Independence Stadium is set to earn about N$337 million – more than three times the government's budgeted amount – through a 17.5% fee on the estimated N$2 billion project cost, which industry experts say is unusually high.
2 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Mobile Telecommunications Limited (MTC) has handed over the intellectual property and multimedia archives of the Namibian Annual Music Awards (Namas) to the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture. MTC invested over N$100 million in the awards over ten years; the brand is valued at over N$400 million, and the ministry will now manage the event going forward.
1 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Education Minister Sanet Steenkamp said the Ministry is not yet in a placement phase in the Erongo Region and is working on improved strategies to decongest schools in five regions, including building new schools in Henties, Walvis Bay, and the DRC. She noted that Erongo Region needs at least three schools built per year as approximately 2,000 learners arrive in the region annually.
1 July 2026 · Informanté →
Rundu Town Council has fulfilled its preparations for the Public Enterprises Games, with the town ready to host close to 5,000 participants. The council has provided logistical support including accommodation arrangements and facility access, with most accommodation establishments already fully booked.
29 June 2026 · New Era →
Trainees at the Valombola Vocational Training Centre manufactured 700 pieces of school furniture valued at N$297,696—comprising 300 chairs and 400 desks—which were handed over to schools in the Khomas Region. The donation was funded through pledges made at a National Fish Consumption Day Gala Dinner and facilitated by the Namibia Fish Consumption Promotion Trust.
28 June 2026 · Informanté →
Namibia's Lavinia Haitope successfully defended her Nelson Mandela Bay Half Marathon title in South Africa, finishing first among women in 1:12:36, edging second-place finisher Cacisile Sosibo by a millisecond. Namibian runners Daniel Paulus and Simon Mathias also competed, placing sixth and twelfth in the men's race respectively.
27 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The Women's Leadership Centre has launched the San Children Embrace Education Project to keep San children in school and support them and their communities. The project, which operated in Omaheke, Oshikoto, and Kavango East regions this year, aims to address challenges including poverty, hunger, teenage pregnancy, and discrimination that San youth face.
25 June 2026 · The Namibian →
QKR Namibia Navachab Gold Mine and the ministry of education held a media conference on 23 June 2026 to send off the winners of the 2025 Navachab Half Marathon—Mathias Simon, Lavinia Haitope, and Elton Hiskia (overall winner), plus Daniel Paulus—who will represent Namibia at the Nelson Mandela Bay Half Marathon Championships in Gqeberha, South Africa, on 27 June 2026.
25 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The Oshikoto leg of the Real Madrid Foundation Football Clinic officially launched at Omuthiya on Monday as a five-day programme aimed at equipping young footballers with skills and values including discipline, teamwork, respect and leadership.
24 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Youth leaders and political commentators are calling for the National Youth Council to abandon candidate endorsements, following violence at a general assembly in Swakopmund that led to postponement of elections and resignation of the electoral committee.
23 June 2026 · The Namibian →
The education ministry postponed the National Youth Council's general assembly after violent disruption at a Swakopmund event injured nine delegates and prompted the electoral committee's resignation. The minister says unresolved concerns over delegate verification and compliance must be addressed before the assembly can resume.
21 June 2026 · The Namibian →
The sixth edition of the Nedbank Citi Dash, scheduled for 6 September, aims to break through 5,000 entrants by adding 5km and 10km races. The event has grown from 2,400 participants in 2024 to about 3,000 in 2025, with reduced entry fees for under-18 athletes to encourage youth participation.
18 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Grades 8 and 9 boys at Caprivi Senior Secondary School were forced to sleep in cold corridors without blankets as punishment for losing hostel keys. The incident has drawn condemnation from parents and the Namibia National Students Organisation, with the regional education director confirming the matter and pledging to address it through public service staff rules.
15 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Parents in Windhoek and Okahandja are queuing and sleeping outside public schools to secure pre-primary and Grade 1 places, with overcrowding and limited spaces prompting pushing, shoving, and police intervention. In Okahandja, only 30 Grade 1 and 74 Grade 0 application spaces were reportedly available despite hundreds seeking admission.
15 June 2026 · Informanté →
AC Promotions and AC Boxing Academy reaffirmed their commitment to boxing following Flame 'Special One' Nangolo's first round loss to Martin Mukungu on 30 May, with owner Imms Moses thanking sponsors and supporters and confirming Nangolo is medically fit to return to the ring.
12 June 2026 · The Namibian →