Lukato to jail parents for not sending children to school
Namibia Democratic Party (NDP) leader Martin Lukato says as his party plans to ensure free education, any parent who prevents their children from attending school will be jailed.
Additionally, if the party is voted into power, each learner will receive a tablet loaded with all necessary study material, tutorials and educational videos.
Lukato, who is also running for president, launched the NDP manifesto on Sunday, 8 September. In the 40-page document, the NDP pledged to introduce true free education - not just in theory, but in practice. The manifesto, he said, advocates for a decolonised education system that incorporates indigenous knowledge, sovereignty and economic freedom into school curricula.
Student debt to be cancelled
Institute for Public Policy Research executive director Graham Hopwood said in an interview with Namibian Sun that addressing youth unemployment should be a priority for political parties, as it is a major concern for voters.
He warned against the repetition of ineffective programmes like the Targeted Intervention Programme for Employment and Economic Growth (TIPEEG), which, he noted, lacked proper monitoring and evaluation to assess its true impact.
In November last year, it was reported that the Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF) had only managed to recover about 1% of the debt owed by former beneficiaries annually.
For the 2023/24 fiscal year, N$7.9 billion was allocated for student funding, while only N$9.2 million was recovered from previous beneficiaries. Lukato has, meanwhile, pledged that under his government, all student debt will be cancelled.
He also promised to reintegrate students who were excluded due to outstanding fees and ensure that all students who passed but were denied their qualifications due to unpaid fees will receive their certificates, diplomas or degrees.
Economic revitalisation
The NDP further highlighted economic revitalisation as a key pillar in its manifesto. "Our plan includes significant investments in infrastructure, support for innovation and small businesses, and measures to foster job creation," the party stated.
According to Lukato, NDP's goal is to create a strong and inclusive economy that meets the needs of all citizens, aiming to stimulate growth through practical strategies that support both large-scale projects and grassroots entrepreneurship.
However, political commentator Ndumba Kamwanyah echoed Hopwood's concerns. He questioned the feasibility of the promises made by political parties, asking: "Where will the money come from for these promises?"
Kamwanyah stressed the need for a detailed and comprehensive road map to explain how such policies would be implemented effectively.
Additionally, if the party is voted into power, each learner will receive a tablet loaded with all necessary study material, tutorials and educational videos.
Lukato, who is also running for president, launched the NDP manifesto on Sunday, 8 September. In the 40-page document, the NDP pledged to introduce true free education - not just in theory, but in practice. The manifesto, he said, advocates for a decolonised education system that incorporates indigenous knowledge, sovereignty and economic freedom into school curricula.
Student debt to be cancelled
Institute for Public Policy Research executive director Graham Hopwood said in an interview with Namibian Sun that addressing youth unemployment should be a priority for political parties, as it is a major concern for voters.
He warned against the repetition of ineffective programmes like the Targeted Intervention Programme for Employment and Economic Growth (TIPEEG), which, he noted, lacked proper monitoring and evaluation to assess its true impact.
In November last year, it was reported that the Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF) had only managed to recover about 1% of the debt owed by former beneficiaries annually.
For the 2023/24 fiscal year, N$7.9 billion was allocated for student funding, while only N$9.2 million was recovered from previous beneficiaries. Lukato has, meanwhile, pledged that under his government, all student debt will be cancelled.
He also promised to reintegrate students who were excluded due to outstanding fees and ensure that all students who passed but were denied their qualifications due to unpaid fees will receive their certificates, diplomas or degrees.
Economic revitalisation
The NDP further highlighted economic revitalisation as a key pillar in its manifesto. "Our plan includes significant investments in infrastructure, support for innovation and small businesses, and measures to foster job creation," the party stated.
According to Lukato, NDP's goal is to create a strong and inclusive economy that meets the needs of all citizens, aiming to stimulate growth through practical strategies that support both large-scale projects and grassroots entrepreneurship.
However, political commentator Ndumba Kamwanyah echoed Hopwood's concerns. He questioned the feasibility of the promises made by political parties, asking: "Where will the money come from for these promises?"
Kamwanyah stressed the need for a detailed and comprehensive road map to explain how such policies would be implemented effectively.
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