Deputy chairperson of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, Youth, Civic Relations and Community Development, Austin Samupwa, has called for increased government funding to underdeveloped regions, particularly Kavango East, to ensure fair and balanced national development.
Speaking during an oversight visit, Samupwa said the government is on the right track in addressing school infrastructure challenges, but more needs to be done to uplift poorer communities.
“According to our statistics, Kavango East is one of the poorest regions in the country. Our budget must look at the issues of all the poor — that’s what the budget is focusing on at the moment,” he said.
He further emphasized his stance on fairness and equal opportunity, noting,
“I’m an advocate of equity, where you allocate more funds to the most needy.”
Samupwa added that the committee’s findings from its recent and previous visits highlight a pressing need for state intervention.
“The insights we have gathered this time around, and the last time we were here, show that the Kavango East region is in entire need of assistance from the state,” he stressed.
He urged the government to prioritize equitable development to ensure lasting improvements in education and community welfare across the country.
