Thursday, 22 October 2026

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Thursday, 22 October 2026

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Namibian press · Organization

Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture

Also known as: Ministry of Education · The Ministry of Education

Ministry responsible for basic education, higher education oversight, and cultural initiatives including the Annual Readathon; involved in improving digital access and school infrastructure.

2023-01-142026-10-22

News reports

Order a long-term news report on Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture

Every mention in the Namibian press over the period you choose, compiled as a PDF or Word document.

What’s been said

Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.

July 2026
12 JulThe Namibian
Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture issued a statement saying delegation is meeting South African officials to discuss arrangements for exhumation and repatriation
Source
“In a statement issued on Saturday, the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture says the delegation is meeting South African officials to discuss the legal, cultural, technical and logistical arrangements of the exhumation and repatriation.”
Remains of Namibian Robben Island prisoners to be repatriated
12 JulThe Namibian
Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture awarded contract to Vega Investment for construction of classrooms and hostel accommodation valued at N$23 million
Source
“He said the contract was awarded to Vega Investment for the construction of additional classrooms and hostel accommodation and is valued at N$23 million.”
Cocoma school hostel awaiting ablution facilities
7 JulThe Namibian
The education ministry started a week-long restructuring workshop at Ongwediva to align youth and sport department with its expanded national service mandate.
Source
“The education ministry has started a week-long restructuring workshop at Ongwediva to align the youth and sport department with its expanded national service mandate.”
Shaping up sport service delivery
7 JulThe Namibian
Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture suspended all financial support to recognised sport federations and umbrella organisations
Source
“This comes after the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture suspended all requests for financial support to sport bodies and sport umbrella organisations, citing mounting financial constraints.”
Govt funding freeze ‘setback’ for sport
6 JulWindhoek Observer
Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture has invested in water tankers in regions facing persistent water shortages water tankers in regions such as Oshikoto
Source
“"There are specifically some regions such as Oshikoto where the ministry has invested in water tankers.”
Agriculture ministry clarifies school borehole role
3 JulWindhoek Observer
MEIYSAC announced it will assume full responsibility for the awards moving forward
Source
“MEIYSAC announced that it will assume full responsibility for the awards moving forward.”
YOUNG OBSERVER | MTC hands over the NAMAs to youth ministry
1 JulThe Namibian
Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture received rights to Namibian Annual Music Awards on Tuesday
Source
“The rights were handed over to the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture on Tuesday, placing the country's most prestigious music event under public custody.”
MTC hands over Namas awards to education ministry
1 JulInformanté
Ministry of Education is not yet at a placement phase in Erongo Region
Source
“Steenkamp said that currently, the Ministry of Education is not yet at a placement phase in the Erongo Region.”
Steenkamp responds to concerns over Erongo intake closures
June 2026
25 JunWindhoek Observer
Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture collaborated with QKR Namibia Navachab to hold a media conference to send off Navachab Half Marathon winners
Source
“On 23 June 2026, QKR Namibia Navachab Gold Mine, in collaboration with the ministry of education, innovation, youth, sport, arts and culture (MEIYSAC), held a media conference at the MEIYSAC head office in Windhoek to officially send off the winners of the 2025 Navachab Half Marathon, who will represent Namibia at the Nelson Mandela Bay Half Marathon Championships in Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), South Africa, on 27 June 2026.”
OBSERVER COASTAL | 2025 Navachab Half Marathon winners officially sent off ahead of Nelson Mandela Bay Championships
24 JunThe Namibian
Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture highlighted the broader impact of sport on young people's development
Source
“Speaking at the official opening ceremony, Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture deputy director for lifelong learning, youth, sport, arts and culture Hilma Nangolo highlighted the broader impact of sport on young people's development.”
Real Madrid football clinic kicks off at Omuthiya

Sport

Youth Olympic Games a stepping stone in athlete development pathway

The News

Namibia's National Olympic Committee chief executive Anri Parker says the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar must be viewed as part of a longer-term high-performance pathway towards senior Olympics and Commonwealth Games, not the end of an athlete's development. Parker emphasises that Namibia will field 12 athletes in seven disciplines at the October-November games, and that the experience should inform each athlete's next development phase through stronger collaboration with national federations, coaching development and international partnerships.

21 October 2026 · The Namibian →

Yesterday

Youth Olympic Games a stepping stone in athlete development pathway
Namibia's National Olympic Committee chief executive Anri Parker says the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar must be viewed as part of a longer-term high-performance pathway towards senior Olympics and Commonwealth Games, not the end of an athlete's development. Parker emphasises that Namibia will field 12 athletes in seven disciplines at the October-November games, and that the experience should inform each athlete's next development phase through stronger collaboration with national federations, coaching development and international partnerships.
21 October 2026 · The Namibian →

Sunday 18 October

Para swimmers' records excluded from IPC database due to governance dispute
Four Namibian para swimmers recorded personal bests at the Namibia Aquatic Sports Federation Short Course Nationals in September, but their times will not be entered into the International Paralympic Committee database because of an unresolved governance dispute between two bodies claiming to represent the Namibia National Paralympic Committee. The recognised NNPC froze athlete registrations in late 2025 over the dual representation issue; the IPC offered mediation in mid-2026, which the recognised NNPC accepted but the parallel committee rejected.
18 October 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 8 October

Nust offers alternatives to medical laboratory sciences students
The Namibia University of Science and Technology is offering affected medical laboratory sciences students the option to transfer to other programmes or partner institutions as it addresses accreditation challenges involving practical training capacity, laboratory facilities, and professional supervision.
8 October 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 6 October

Deputy Minister acknowledges digital divide in Namibian basic education
Deputy Minister of Education Dino Ballotti acknowledged that a digital divide persists in Namibia's basic education sector and said the Ministry is taking steps to improve digital access in government schools, providing connectivity, ICT infrastructure, devices and digital services.
6 October 2026 · Informanté →

Monday 5 October

Karibib Junior Secondary School faces three-year classroom construction delay
Karibib Junior Secondary School has been without a completed classroom block for about three years after contractor MRA Investments CC abandoned the N$523 000 project in November 2022 following partial payment, leaving the school of 300 pupils to teach in makeshift spaces and limiting their ability to accommodate four different language subjects.
5 October 2026 · The Namibian →
Two Namibian pupils compete at continental science fair
Guillermo Melando and Thobias Gabriel represented Namibia at the 2026 Eskom Expo for Young Scientists International Science Fair in Johannesburg from 28 September to 2 October, having won the primary and secondary phases of Namibia's 2025 National Science Fair.
5 October 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 1 October

Namibia lacks over 1,900 pre-primary classrooms, official reports
The Deputy Minister of Education reports an estimated shortage of 1,977 pre-primary classrooms in the country, affecting school readiness and early-grade repetition, particularly in rural areas and indigenous minority communities.
1 October 2026 · Informanté →

Wednesday 30 September

Namibian libraries integrate computers and internet for learners
Namibia's libraries are increasingly adding computers, internet connectivity and electronic resources to support learner access to information and digital skills. The Deputy Director of the Namibia Library and Archive Service said public libraries already provide free computer and internet access, while the Ministry of Education is working to equip school libraries with similar services.
30 September 2026 · Informanté →

Tuesday 29 September

Desert Jewels qualify for 2027 Netball World Cup
Debmarine Namibia's financial support has enabled Namibia's netball team, the Desert Jewels, to qualify for the 2027 Netball World Cup in Sydney and strengthen grassroots development. Netball Namibia president Juanita Witbeen credits the sponsorship as critical to international performance and says the qualification will inspire the next generation of players.
29 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 28 September

Namibia qualifies for 2025 Netball World Cup in Sydney
Namibia's Desert Jewels netball team qualified for next year's Netball World Cup in Sydney after finishing fourth at the Africa Cup in Nairobi. The team clinched their spot after reaching the semi-finals, marking their third World Cup appearance and first in 31 years since 1991 and 1995.
28 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 21 September

Teachers release statements in Maasdorp negligence lawsuit against government
Teachers and the principal of K.W. von Marees Combined School have submitted witness statements in a N$2.2 million High Court negligence lawsuit filed by Dolly Maasdorp against the Namibian government, alleging the Ministry of Education failed to protect her granddaughter Ingrid, a five-year-old who was raped and murdered in Okahandja on 20 March 2025.
21 September 2026 · Informanté →

Sunday 20 September

2026 Annual Readathon to promote reading across Namibia
The 2026 Annual Readathon, hosted by the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture, will take place across Namibia from 21 to 25 September in Katima Mulilo, with activities including spelling bees, quizzes and read-aloud sessions aimed at strengthening reading habits among learners and communities.
20 September 2026 · Informanté →

Friday 18 September

Nyege Junior Primary School enrollment drops sharply due to poor conditions
Parents have withdrawn pupils from Kavango West's Nyege Junior Primary School over dilapidated tent classrooms, reducing enrollment to 15 children. The school, moved closer to the road near Nkurenkuru in 2022 to escape elephant threats, has lacked proper classrooms since the relocation and allegedly had about 30 pupils over recent years.
18 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 17 September

Prime Minister pledges probe into Home Affairs research restrictions
Prime Minister Dr Tjitunga Elijah Ngurare has undertaken to investigate concerns over a directive allegedly restricting research into the systems, processes and information held by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security. The issue was raised in the National Assembly by Affirmative Repositioning leader Job Amupanda, who questioned whether the Ministry's reported position against permitting research—even by its own employees—was consistent with national research governance through the National Commission on Research, Science and Technology.
17 September 2026 · Informanté →

Wednesday 16 September

PM updates Parliament on housing, sanitation emergency response
Prime Minister Ngurare told Parliament that government has allocated N$34 million towards sanitation and is implementing interventions in informal settlements as part of its response to the declared state of emergency on housing and sanitation. A Disaster Risk Management meeting chaired by the Secretary to Cabinet and comprising relevant ministries has been convened to address both sanitation and housing issues.
16 September 2026 · Informanté →

Thursday 10 September

Amupanda calls for regulation of honorary doctorates
Auleria Wakudumo Affirmative Repositioning leader Job Amupanda has submitted a parliamentary question calling for tighter regulation of honorary doctorates in Namibia, warning that the growing practice could undermine genuine PhD qualifications and suggesting other African countries have introduced regulatory measures to prevent political weaponisation and fraudulent use.
10 September 2026 · New Era →

Wednesday 9 September

Ohangwena wellness campaign serves 140 on opening day
A four-day school wellness and community outreach campaign in Ohangwena, launched by Dune Seven Community Foundation in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Social Services and other organizations, reached 140 pupils and community members on its first day with medical consultations, health screening, and sexual and reproductive health education.
9 September 2026 · The Namibian →
Education Minister inaugurates UNAM Council
Minister of Education Dr Sanet Steenkamp inaugurated the University of Namibia's Council, which will provide strategic direction, ensure good governance and oversee the institution's affairs. Steenkamp emphasised the Council's role in providing leadership, safeguarding institutional integrity and holding management accountable, while respecting the distinction between governance and management.
9 September 2026 · Informanté →

Tuesday 8 September

Ohangwena schools to receive sexual health and anti-GBV services
Pupils in Ohangwena will receive sexual and reproductive health education, STI screenings and anti-gender-based violence services through a four-day campaign running 8–11 September across four schools in the region. The initiative, launched by the Dune Seven Community Foundation, also includes hygiene awareness and involves the One Economy Foundation, Walvis Bay Corridor Group, and two government ministries.
8 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Sunday 6 September

Supreme Court invalidates school hostel food tender
The Supreme Court dismissed an appeal by the Central Procurement Board and Ministry of Education, upholding a High Court decision that set aside a multimillion-dollar tender for supplying food to government school hostels. The court found the procurement process unlawful because the board continued proceedings after the 180-day bid validity period had expired.
6 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 4 September

Supreme Court upholds High Court's cancellation of school food tender
The Supreme Court upheld a High Court judgment canceling a multimillion-dollar school hostel food supply tender for government schools across Namibia's 14 regions after the Central Procurement Board and Ministry of Education appealed the decision. The tender was found to have irregularities, including the exclusion of a bidder for failing to provide an English translation of an Afrikaans-language supporting document.
4 September 2026 · Informanté →
NSFAF opens final 2026 funding application window until October
The Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund has reopened its 2026 online application process for a third and final phase from 7 September to 7 October, giving eligible students another opportunity to apply for financial assistance for the 2026 academic year.
4 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 2 September

President directed N$540m school food tender via alternative process
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah directed the education ministry to use alternative procurement for a N$540-million school hostel food tender, with the Namibia Training Authority as lead service provider and other public entities, sparking court action from companies questioning the non-public tendering process.
2 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 27 August

Parliament committee examines tribal favouritism claims in teacher promotions
The Teachers Union of Namibia has raised concerns that tribal favouritism in promotions has resulted in unequal representation in senior teaching positions in some regions. A National Council standing committee acknowledged the concerns but cautioned that such claims should be supported by statistics, and stressed the need to balance inclusivity and diversity with merit and good performance.
27 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Government allocates N$40m to purchase grain from local farmers
The Prime Minister announced N$40 million in government funding to purchase grains directly from local millers through the Agricultural Marketing and Trading Agency, addressing post-harvest losses and market access challenges faced by Namibian grain farmers.
27 August 2026 · New Era →

Tuesday 25 August

Paralympic power struggle leaves Namibian athletes unlicensed
Gold medalist Ananias Shikongo was disqualified from the Commonwealth Games after Namibia's Paralympic committee failed to secure a valid competition licence for him amid an internal leadership dispute. No Namibian Paralympic athlete has been licensed since 1 January, following the committee's failure to pay fees to the International Paralympic Committee and resolve internal disputes over athlete registration.
25 August 2026 · The Namibian →

Sunday 23 August

Swapo youth league seeks one-year delay for education points system
The Swapo Party Youth League has welcomed the Ministry of Education's new standardised admission point scale for higher education but wants its implementation delayed by a year from 2027 to allow pupils, teachers and schools more time to adjust. The system will calculate admission points using a pupil's best five subjects with English compulsory and applies to multiple qualifications including Namibia Senior Secondary Certificate and International Baccalaureate.
23 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Education ministry launches school and hostel standards framework
The Ministry of Education has launched the Norms and Standards Framework for Schools and the National Minimum Standards for the Operation of Hostels in Namibia. The new framework replaces the long-standing National Standards and Performance Indicators and is designed to address changing global conditions, including the influence of artificial intelligence.
23 August 2026 · Informanté →

Friday 21 August

Education minister apologises for delayed repatriation of ancestral remains
Minister Sanet Steenkamp apologised for delays in returning Namibian ancestral and mortal remains from South Africa, citing circumstances beyond the ministry's control that affected flight arrangements. Namibia received the remains of two former political prisoners and the ancestral remains of 84 people, along with casts and cultural heritage materials.
21 August 2026 · Informanté →
Namibian boys show lower grades, higher dropout rates than girls
Research by UNAM found that more Namibian boys than girls repeat grades and leave school early, while women have made up the majority of tertiary students and graduates for over three decades. Male learners had a promotion rate of 75.1% versus 78.4% for females, a repetition rate of 18.5% versus 14.7%, and a school-leaving rate of 6.3% versus 4.9%.
21 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →