Primary schools have taken up the biggest chunk of the education budget for the 2026/2027 financial year, a whopping 42%.
Out of the N$28 billion set aside for education, N$11.8 billion will go to primary education.
This is the biggest portion of the budget under Vote 40 – Education, Innovation, Arts and Culture.
Education director Mbumba Haitengela said higher education will receive the second-largest share of the budget, with N$7.3 billion, representing 26% of the total allocation.
Meanwhile, secondary education follows with N$5.38 billion, accounting for 19%.
“Pre-primary education has been allocated N$1.1 billion, while administration costs will amount to just over N$1 billion. Adult and lifelong learning, arts and culture will receive N$656 million, and vocational education and training got N$614 million.
Additionally, science and technology will receive the smallest share at N$127 million, or 0.5% of the total budget,” he said.
The government allocated N$24.8 billion to the education, innovation, arts and culture sectors for the 2025/26 financial year, with a total of N$76.1 billion, which was earmarked for the sectors over the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework.
Haitengela said public and private institutions of higher education, including TVET centres, have received prepayments for tuition and registration fees.
Outstanding balances will be settled once registration processes are completed and final student numbers verified.
Non-tuition fees will be processed upon verification.
These measures ensure that funds are disbursed based on verified data and reach the intended beneficiaries in a timely and accountable manner.
Pre-primary, primary and secondary education: 868 025 learners.
Subsidised tertiary education: Over 134 079 students
“The funding reduces financial barriers and strengthens access across all levels of education. The development budget further provides for the construction and expansion of educational facilities, helping to reduce overcrowding, improve infrastructure and support appropriate teacher-to-learner ratios. Overall, these interventions are expected to enhance access, equity and quality in the education system, contributing to improved educational outcomes,” he said.
He added that the ministry has put clear systems in place to ensure transparency, accountability and efficiency in distributing funds across all levels of the education system.
“Grant payments to public schools are based on the verified 15th school day statistics to ensure that allocations reflect the actual number of learners enrolled. The Universal Education Grant is allocated as follows: N$300 per learner for pre-primary education, N$300 per learner for primary education and N$400 per learner for secondary education,” he said.
To support inclusive education and learners with additional needs, the allocations are N$1 500 per learner for pre-primary, N$1 500 per learner for primary and N$2 000 per learner for secondary education.
In addition, each learner receives N$15 under the hygiene project.
Payment of these grants has started and is expected to be finalised by 30 April 2026.
During her national budget speech last Thursday, finance minister Ericah Shafudah announced that the government has allocated N$2.8 billion to subsidise tertiary education.
She also set aside N$1.7 billion for the 2026/27 financial year to improve civil servants’ salaries.
From 1 April 1, employees in grades 15 and 14 will receive a monthly increase of N$700, while those in grades 13 to 1 will get a 5% salary increase.
In the 2027/28 financial year, all civil servants from grades 15 to 1 will receive a 5% salary increase.
Non-management staff will also get a 7% increase in their transport allowance from 1 April 2027.