EENHANA – Former president Hifikepunye Pohamba has voiced deep concern over children not attending school, saying it is unacceptable.
Speaking during the Nust graduation ceremony recently held in Eenhana, Pohamba shared his dismay over the situation, which he said is not justifiable under any circumstance.
“It does not sit well with me when a child is not attending school, regardless of what. When I visited Okongo and Opuwo, there are children who do not go to school. It is not right,” he emphasised.
The Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA)’s 2023 census showed that the Kunene region had the highest proportion of children who had never attended school, with 36.2%, followed by Omaheke at 19.2%.
Pohamba also raised alarm over the plight of Angolan children brought into Namibia to work as cattle herders, instead of attending school.
He said it was worrying that while Namibian children are in classrooms, their Angolan counterparts are tending livestock.
“Can we not end this situation?” he asked.
The former statesman noted that a lack of schools in southern Angola is a contributing factor and called for diplomatic engagement, suggesting that President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah consults with the Angolan leadership to ensure children from across the border are not left behind.
Pohamba stressed that denying children access to education – whether due to poverty or policy shortcomings – hampers national progress.
Education minister Sanet Steenkamp acknowledged that some children in Namibia still do not attend school, partly due to parental attitudes and limited advocacy in remote areas.
“We have a challenge where some parents still feel that children do not need to attend school, so we really need to do a lot of parental advocacies,” she said.
The minister urged education directors, school inspectors and quality assurance teams to intensify their outreach in rural areas, and include children living with disabilities in their efforts.
“It requires truly coordinated efforts and uniform messaging from traditional and government leaders about the importance of education,” she added.
Steenkamp said the ministry must work closely with civil society organisations to increase awareness among parents about the long-term value of education. She also pointed to existing government support initiatives such as food programmes and subsidised community hostels, aimed at keeping children in school.
Furthermore, the minister promised to commission an assessment to determine how many Namibian children are still out of school, and the reasons behind their exclusion.