Also known as: Ministry of Education · The Ministry of Education
Namibian government ministry overseeing education, technical and vocational training, youth, sports, arts and culture; transferred youth and sports functions to regional councils in May 2026.
Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.
The Namibian
Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture will receive formal transfer of early childhood development policy on 1 January 2027
“The review process is grounded in the Basic Education Act, which provides that the early childhood development (ECD) policy must be developed and administered under the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture.”
Education ministry takes over early childhood developmentInformanté
Ministry of Education is committed to tackling school overcrowding across the country
“The minister further assured that the Ministry of Education is committed to tackling school overcrowding across the country and intends to roll out targeted decongestion projects in highly congested schools in the Erongo, Khomas, Kavango, Otjozondjupa and Zambezi regions.”
Steenkamp inaugurates new classrooms and ablution facilities at Suiderhof Primary SchoolThe Namibian
Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture was allocated N$28.7 billion for 2026/27 financial year
“The Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture was allocated N$28.7 billion for the 2026/27 financial year.”
2026/27 key budget take awaysThe Namibian
Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture receives N$28 billion in the 2026/27 budget allocation
“Within this allocation, the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture receives N$28 billion, including N$2.8 billion earmarked for subsidised tertiary education and interventions aimed at alleviating school congestion.”
What you need to know about Shafudah’s budgetThe Namibian
Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture compiled data used to determine Namibian population education status figures
“Figures are compiled by reconciling the 15th Day of School Report by the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture, with available census population distributions.”
Namibia in NumbersThe Namibian
Ministry of Education reported policy drove surge in enrolment with 2.3 million additional learners over four years
“According to the Ministry of Education, the policy has driven a surge in enrolment, with more than 2.3 million additional learners entering the school system over the past four years.”
Free education becomes Zambia’s election battlegroundNew Era
Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture is where Richard !Gaoseb began his career in political science
“After completing high school, he later went to the Namibia College of Open Learning for two years before proceeding to work in the ministry of education, where he started his career in political science.”
Richard !Gaoseb drives Katutura EastNew Era
Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture will invest N$10 million to revive the Namibia Annual Music Awards
“The recent announcement that the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture will invest N$10 million to revive the Namibia Annual Music Awards (NAMAs) after a six-year hiatus is, without doubt, good news.”
Opinion – More than a trophy night: The return of the NAMAsThe Namibian
Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture organised the awareness campaign on substance abuse
“The event was organised by the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture.”
Say no to drugs – Denga NdaitwahThe Namibian
Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture announced it will invest N$10 million to revive the Namibian Annual Music Awards
“The Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture has announced that it will invest N$10 million to revive the Namibian Annual Music Awards (NAMAs) after a six-year pause.”
Govt invests N$10 million for return of Namibian Annual Music AwardsNamibia's premier international cycling event, the Tour de Windhoek, was officially launched and is scheduled for 13 to 16 August 2026. Pupkewitz Megabuild will continue as title sponsor, bringing together elite and emerging cyclists to compete across challenging and scenic routes throughout the country.
4 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia's premier international cycling event, the Tour de Windhoek, was officially launched and is scheduled for 13 to 16 August 2026. Pupkewitz Megabuild will continue as title sponsor, bringing together elite and emerging cyclists to compete across challenging and scenic routes throughout the country.
4 June 2026 · The Namibian →
The government has directed universities to allow NSFAF-funded students to sit for examinations and access results despite funding paperwork delays following NSFAF's integration into the Ministry of Education in March. While the directive prevents students from being punished for bureaucratic delays, it highlights broader questions about planning and implementation of the institutional reform.
2 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
As Namibia marks the second Genocide Remembrance Day (gazetted as a national holiday in 2024), the Christuskirche in Windhoek, built between 1907 and 1910, remains a prominent reminder of German colonial rule and the genocide against Ovaherero and Nama communities during 1904–1908. Commemorations honour victims and renew calls for historical justice, reparations, and reconciliation.
28 May 2026 · The Namibian →
Vice president Lucia Witbooi has urged stronger support for vocational education, calling it one of Namibia's most important tools in fighting unemployment and creating opportunities for young people with disabilities. She made the remarks during the graduation ceremony of 443 learners enrolled in the Certificate in Basic Pre-Vocational Skills programme at Augustineum Secondary School in Windhoek.
21 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Namibia has dropped nine places to 94th globally and slipped from 8th to 10th in Africa in the StartupBlink Global Startup Ecosystem Index 2026, with annual ecosystem growth of 8.2% falling below the global average. The country retained its position as southern Africa's second-ranked startup ecosystem behind South Africa, and Windhoek remains its only city ranked in the world's top 1,000 startup ecosystems.
20 May 2026 · The Namibian →
University students report severe financial hardship due to delayed Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF) non-tuition payments, which they need for accommodation, food, transport and academic expenses. NSFAF spokesperson Percy Tjahere attributed delays to late invoice submissions by institutions, saying students whose invoices were submitted on time have been paid and the next payments are due in May.
19 May 2026 · The Namibian →
First Gentleman General (Rtd) Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah has urged urgent national action to address boys' disengagement from Namibia's education system and support their mental health, citing Ministry of Education data showing 8,720 boys dropped out of school in 2023 and a 2023 UNICEF report finding that only 76% of boys progressed from Grade 5 to Grade 6 compared to 85% of girls. Ndaitwah attributed the trend to absent fathers, lack of mentorship, substance abuse, violence, and gaps in sexual and reproductive health education, and announced that his office is developing national programmes targeting educational disengagement, mentorship, mental health, and father involvement.
16 May 2026 · Informanté →
The government has officially transferred youth and sports functions from the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture to regional councils. Minister Sankwasa said decentralisation requires regional structures to demonstrate commitment to performance, accountability, and improved management.
14 May 2026 · The Namibian →
The Chinese Embassy in Namibia and New Era Publication Corporation donated 400 pictorial coffee table books valued at N$200,000 to the Ministry of Education to honour the legacy of Founding President Sam Nujoma and promote literacy and historical preservation.
13 May 2026 · New Era →
A joint committee is drafting a strategy to revive the Loudima Institute for Technical and Vocational Training in the Republic of the Congo by July. The institute, which trained exiled Namibians during the liberation struggle and provided technical training in the 1980s, was suspended in 2021 due to poor living conditions and infrastructure challenges.
9 May 2026 · The Namibian →
The Namibia Planning Commission is coordinating with the Ministries of Finance and Education to develop and upgrade sport facilities across all regions, with a goal of ensuring every Namibian has access to quality sporting infrastructure by 2030. The initiative aims to professionalise sport and create employment and development opportunities for youth.
7 May 2026 · The Namibian →
Radial Truss Industries, dismissed from the N$77 million Oe !Gab Primary School project at Tubusis village in February, disputes poor workmanship accusations and says the project was 90% complete at dismissal. The contractor blames subcontractor withdrawals linked to rising costs from Covid-19, the Ukraine war, and procurement delays for project delays, while the Ministry of Education cited poor workmanship as grounds for dismissal.
6 May 2026 · The Namibian →
The Ministry of Education says the Basic Education Act allows individual schools to set their own rules, backing Leevi Hakusembe Secondary School's ban on pupils bringing food to hostels. The school cited low dining hall turnout and food waste, though parents have complained their children report hunger and say hostel meals are insufficient.
6 May 2026 · The Namibian →
The Under-19 netball team selected during the 2026 Newspaper Cup will remain unchanged following a meeting between the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture and Netball Namibia, which resolved concerns about the selection process for the AUSC Region 5 Youth Games. The selected players will now compete alongside regional teams of seven players each, with additional eligible athletes from the Netball Namibia database introduced into the trials.
6 May 2026 · New Era →
The Ministry of Education says the reintroduced trimester system is improving learning outcomes and follows requests from school management, parents and teachers for shorter learning cycles and better teacher focus. A school principal supports the system but notes concerns about children enrolling mid-year, particularly in urban areas.
5 May 2026 · The Namibian →
The Director of Technical and Vocational Education and Training said the Ministry of Education is broadening TVET training opportunities for marginalised groups, including persons with disabilities, through a renewed partnership with Germany supported by EUR 3.4 million investment under the ProTVET Programme.
28 April 2026 · Informanté →
Five years after its rollout, Namibia's Advanced Subsidiary curriculum will undergo review as the percentage of candidates graded in at least three subjects fell to 70.30% in 2025 from a 2021 peak of 76.00%. The Ministry of Education cited performance data, monitoring visits, and examination analysis as informing potential revisions.
27 April 2026 · The Namibian →
A Simataa Secondary School pupil was severely assaulted on 23 March by a Grade 12 pupil and three others over an unpaid N$20 debt, suffering spinal cord injury, breathing difficulties, and vision problems. The accused is out on bail of N$2,000 and returned to school, while the victim remains hospitalized and may repeat his grade.
23 April 2026 · The Namibian →
The government has cancelled a restricted bidding process for school hostel food procurement and extended costly interim emergency contracts for six months to avoid disruptions while a new tender is finalised. The extension follows legal procedures linked to the procurement process, though stakeholders raise concerns about transparency and the impact on vulnerable hostel pupils.
21 April 2026 · The Namibian →
The Anti-Corruption Commission has arrested a 40-year-old human resources practitioner from the Ministry of Education over allegations that he demanded a N$10,000 bribe in exchange for securing a chief hostel matron position, providing interview questions and preparation materials to ensure the candidate's success. The accused appeared in the Windhoek Magistrate's Court and was remanded in custody, with the matter postponed to 9 June.
14 April 2026 · The Namibian →
An educator argues that school discipline in Namibia is eroding due to behavioural challenges, teacher overextension, and weak enforcement alternatives, and calls for a national conversation on discipline, professional support systems for schools, and strengthened parental responsibility.
10 April 2026 · New Era →
The Namibian's weekly events guide lists cultural and social activities in Windhoek and beyond, including theatre performances for secondary pupils, the Windhoeker Karneval (Wika) festival with live music and food events, author workshops, hiking, reading groups, and recurring activities such as quiz nights, swing dancing, and language exchanges.
9 April 2026 · The Namibian →
The Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture said it had not appointed the Roads Contractor Company to source funding from the Development Bank of Namibia for sport stadiums, nor was it aware of or party to any loan application by the RCC. The ministry said it remains the custodian of sport infrastructure development and is implementing its national programme with N$5 million per facility as part of phase 1 of a long-term, phased approach.
8 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Nineteen schools in the Zambezi Region have been affected by floods, with 509 learners losing approximately two weeks of learning. The Ministry of Education has identified relocation sites and is working to address logistical challenges including transportation, meal provision, and catch-up teaching during school holidays.
4 April 2026 · Informanté →
The Ministry of Education has committed to providing tents, boats, temporary learning spaces, and other supplies to schools in the Zambezi Region affected by flooding. Following the Minister's visit to two schools impacted by the floods, the ministry is also considering temporarily relocating teachers and learners to higher ground to enable recovery of lost teaching and learning time.
31 March 2026 · Informanté →
Metropolitan Namibia has committed N$140,000 to support young athletes from all 14 regions to participate in the 2026 Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup, a youth football and netball tournament to be held in Keetmanshoop from 3 to 6 April. The contribution aims to remove barriers of distance and limited resources that prevent talented young athletes from competing.
31 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Minister of Education Sanet Steenkamp visited the Zambezi Region to assess flooding impacts on schools, where several institutions including Muzii Combined School have been temporarily closed. The Ministry is coordinating with the Prime Minister's office to provide temporary shelter, nutrition, and bedding for affected learners as water levels continue to rise across the region.
28 March 2026 · Informanté →
The youth development tournament, bringing together under-20 football and netball teams from all 14 regions, is scheduled for 3–6 April in Keetmanshoop with over 1,000 players and delegates expected. Organisers say preparations are nearly complete, with infrastructure improvements including renovated facilities, new soccer fields and netball courts, and accommodation secured across local schools and town venues.
28 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Germany's Westphalia U/17 football team will visit Namibia from 26 March to 6 April 2026 to promote youth development through training, friendly matches, and community engagement. The exchange, coordinated by the Namibia School Sports Union and Ministry of Education, aims to expose players to different styles of play and accelerate their development at grassroots level.
26 March 2026 · New Era →
Bank Windhoek, in partnership with the Ministry of Education and the African Leadership Institute, launched a mathematics teacher-training programme in 2024 that has trained 240 teachers with an investment of N$1.2 million, aiming to strengthen numeracy skills and financial literacy as a shared-value investment in Namibia's economic resilience.
25 March 2026 · The Namibian →