The Namibian Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture has launched its 2025-2030 strategic plan, which aims to address skills gaps and learning outcome challenges. Deputy Minister Dino Ballotti stated that the ministry has acknowledged its shortcomings, including a perceived skills mismatch and youth unemployment. The plan seeks to improve education and training relevance, preparing young people for employment.
The strategic plan's launch in Windhoek was attended by various stakeholders, where Service Director General Ellencia Hanse presented the plan. Hanse identified limited funding and infrastructure, unequal access between rural and urban communities, and weaknesses in governance and performance management as challenges. The ministry aims to achieve outcomes such as more people gaining relevant skills and more graduates finding employment.
The plan's success will be measured by changes in people's lives rather than activities completed. Hanse emphasized that demonstrating the plan's impact is crucial. At least four vocational training centres will be upgraded into technical and vocational education and training (TVET) colleges offering qualifications up to National Qualifications Framework Level 6.
According to Ballotti, TVET enrolment increased from 23,870 trainees to 26,875 in 2025. The ministry plans to finalize the National Human Resources Development Strategy to address skills mismatches and youth unemployment. This strategy is part of the ministry's response to the challenges faced by young people in the job market.
The ministry's wider strategy includes improving teaching and learning, expanding digital access, strengthening research and innovation, and improving access to education across rural and urban communities. The plan brings together the responsibilities of three former ministries under one framework, covering education, training, youth development, sport, arts and culture.
Executive Director for Youth, Sports and National Service Gerard Vries emphasized that the plan's success depends on implementation and measurable outcomes. The ministry is in discussions with NamPost about distributing funding under the Namibia Youth Credit Scheme, which will likely take place in late December or early January.
The strategy's implementation began in the 2025/2026 financial year, and Vries stressed that it is a shared responsibility to ensure the plan's ambitions translate into meaningful outcomes for the people of Namibia. The ministry's youth directorate has trained 1,032 young people in entrepreneurship and business management, while 968 have been identified for support under the credit scheme.
Key points
- The Namibian Ministry of Education aims to upgrade at least four vocational training centres into technical and vocational education and training colleges.
- The ministry's strategic plan seeks to address skills gaps and learning outcome challenges to better prepare young people for employment.
- The plan's success will be measured by changes in people's lives rather than activities completed.
