Promoting a love of language through Storybooks Namibia
The official launch of Storybooks Namibia, a free open educational resource that promotes literacy and language learning in homes, schools and communities, in Okahandja last week marked a significant step towards improving literacy and language acquisition in Namibia.
Storybooks Namibia is a website for teachers, parents and community members that aims to promote bilingualism and multilingualism in Namibia.
It makes 40 stories from the African Storybook available in the most widely spoken languages of Namibia, in addition to English. A story that is read in English at school can be read in the mother tongue by parents and children at home.
In this way, Storybooks Namibia helps children to maintain the mother tongue in both oral and print form while learning the official language of Namibia. Similarly, the audio versions of the stories can help beginning readers and language learners make the important connection between speech and text.
The initiative was designed and developed in partnership with the National Institute for Educational Development (NIED) and the Namibia Association of Norway (NAMAS).
NAMAS managing director Anne Siri Brun-Folleras said the project’s core mission is to make education more accessible and inclusive.
”We have advocated for indigenous rights, gender equality and social justice, steadfast in our belief that every child, no matter their background, deserves equal access to education and the opportunity to thrive,” she explained.
The Storybooks Namibia collection is available online at storybooksnamibia.net, where parents, teachers and learners can access and download the materials for free. The stories are tailored to different reading levels, making them suitable for junior primary school learners.
Linguistic roots
Jafet Uugwanga, the chief education officer of research at the education ministry, said: “This moment marks a significant step towards celebrating and preserving our rich linguistic heritage while empowering our children to learn and grow in their own languages."
He added: "Language is not just a means of communication – it is a vessel of culture, identity and community. By introducing readers in African languages, we are not only enhancing the educational resources available to our learners but also instilling a sense of pride in their linguistic roots. The series of books we launch today represents countless stories, traditions and knowledge passed down through generations."
NAMAS, which has played a crucial role in Namibia’s education sector since the 1980s, continues to work closely with NIED to develop innovative educational projects. This new initiative aligns with their long-standing commitment to improving literacy and access to education, particularly in underserved communities.
In addition to the digital resources, the initiative will also see the printing of 46 children's stories, with accompanying audio recordings translated into all the languages included in Namibia’s curriculum. These resources are expected to become an invaluable tool for educators helping to strengthen language development in classrooms.
“I am excited for the journey ahead and look forward to building upon the remarkable legacy of Namas as we continue to positively impact the lives of the Namibian people," Brun-Folleras said.
Storybooks Namibia is a website for teachers, parents and community members that aims to promote bilingualism and multilingualism in Namibia.
It makes 40 stories from the African Storybook available in the most widely spoken languages of Namibia, in addition to English. A story that is read in English at school can be read in the mother tongue by parents and children at home.
In this way, Storybooks Namibia helps children to maintain the mother tongue in both oral and print form while learning the official language of Namibia. Similarly, the audio versions of the stories can help beginning readers and language learners make the important connection between speech and text.
The initiative was designed and developed in partnership with the National Institute for Educational Development (NIED) and the Namibia Association of Norway (NAMAS).
NAMAS managing director Anne Siri Brun-Folleras said the project’s core mission is to make education more accessible and inclusive.
”We have advocated for indigenous rights, gender equality and social justice, steadfast in our belief that every child, no matter their background, deserves equal access to education and the opportunity to thrive,” she explained.
The Storybooks Namibia collection is available online at storybooksnamibia.net, where parents, teachers and learners can access and download the materials for free. The stories are tailored to different reading levels, making them suitable for junior primary school learners.
Linguistic roots
Jafet Uugwanga, the chief education officer of research at the education ministry, said: “This moment marks a significant step towards celebrating and preserving our rich linguistic heritage while empowering our children to learn and grow in their own languages."
He added: "Language is not just a means of communication – it is a vessel of culture, identity and community. By introducing readers in African languages, we are not only enhancing the educational resources available to our learners but also instilling a sense of pride in their linguistic roots. The series of books we launch today represents countless stories, traditions and knowledge passed down through generations."
NAMAS, which has played a crucial role in Namibia’s education sector since the 1980s, continues to work closely with NIED to develop innovative educational projects. This new initiative aligns with their long-standing commitment to improving literacy and access to education, particularly in underserved communities.
In addition to the digital resources, the initiative will also see the printing of 46 children's stories, with accompanying audio recordings translated into all the languages included in Namibia’s curriculum. These resources are expected to become an invaluable tool for educators helping to strengthen language development in classrooms.
“I am excited for the journey ahead and look forward to building upon the remarkable legacy of Namas as we continue to positively impact the lives of the Namibian people," Brun-Folleras said.
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