Finance minister Ericah Shafudah has announced a major boost to Namibia’s education sector, with a proposed allocation of N$814 million to the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports and Culture during the Mid-Term Budget Review tabled today.
The funding is set to support the government’s plan for free tertiary education, which was recently approved. According to Shafudah, N$663 million of the total amount will cover registration and tuition fees for students between January and March 2026, marking the first phase of implementation.
The remaining N$151 million will go towards the recruitment of over 660 new teachers, aimed at easing staff shortages in schools across the country and improving the overall quality of education.
Shafudah emphasised that the investment underscores the government’s commitment to accessible and equitable education for all Namibians, adding that the move is part of a broader effort to strengthen human capital development and youth empowerment.
The announcement has been widely welcomed by education stakeholders and students, who view it as a significant step towards reducing financial barriers to higher learning and improving teaching capacity in the public education system.
