Unesco demands more from Namibian education
• ...Commends govt for ‘showing leadership’ at summit
Children in Namibia complete primary school with "minimal foundational skills", the organisation said.
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) last week celebrated the International Day of Education and called on the Namibian government to "intensify its commitment to providing universal access to education for every learner".
In a statement, the organisation commended government for “showing leadership” at the Transforming Education Summit by “addressing the learning crisis, discussing solutions to achieve inclusive and equitable quality education for all by 2030 and reiterating its commitments towards education as a basic human right”.
“Despite the progress made in recent decades, we acknowledge challenges that persist in achieving the [fourth Sustainable Development Goal]," the statement read.
According to Unesco, children in Namibia complete primary school with "minimal foundational skills".
"The Namibian Education Management Information System (EMIS) of 2022 recorded a high number of grade one repetition rate at 17.3% and 18.3% in grade four.
“This confirms our collective concern that children are completing primary education with minimal foundational skills. Moreover, the same EMIS report indicates that about 17 982 learners dropped out of school during the same school calendar period."
Top priority
Unesco has urged the Namibian government to, among other things, maintain education at the top of the political agenda and deliver on commitments made at the summit and encapsulated in the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.
"In addition, promote equitable domestic public financing for education, for children in the early years and the most vulnerable amongst them. This will help reduce disparities among learners and reach universal coverage.
The organisation also encouraged government to “emphasise the importance of education in strengthening and sustaining peace... through the promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship and appreciation of cultural diversity and life skills”.
In a statement, the organisation commended government for “showing leadership” at the Transforming Education Summit by “addressing the learning crisis, discussing solutions to achieve inclusive and equitable quality education for all by 2030 and reiterating its commitments towards education as a basic human right”.
“Despite the progress made in recent decades, we acknowledge challenges that persist in achieving the [fourth Sustainable Development Goal]," the statement read.
According to Unesco, children in Namibia complete primary school with "minimal foundational skills".
"The Namibian Education Management Information System (EMIS) of 2022 recorded a high number of grade one repetition rate at 17.3% and 18.3% in grade four.
“This confirms our collective concern that children are completing primary education with minimal foundational skills. Moreover, the same EMIS report indicates that about 17 982 learners dropped out of school during the same school calendar period."
Top priority
Unesco has urged the Namibian government to, among other things, maintain education at the top of the political agenda and deliver on commitments made at the summit and encapsulated in the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.
"In addition, promote equitable domestic public financing for education, for children in the early years and the most vulnerable amongst them. This will help reduce disparities among learners and reach universal coverage.
The organisation also encouraged government to “emphasise the importance of education in strengthening and sustaining peace... through the promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship and appreciation of cultural diversity and life skills”.
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