School in Namibia

Namibia regulates basic education nationally under the Basic Education Act 2020 (Act 3), which has been nearly fully in force since 5 October 2023. Section 14 remains outside the provisions in force. The Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture sets the national framework, while regional directorates and schools apply it locally. The school system begins with formal Pre-Primary, followed by Junior Primary, which includes Grades 1 to 3, Senior Primary in Grades 4 to 7, Junior Secondary in Grades 8 and 9, and Senior Secondary in Grades 10 to 12. Early childhood development for children aged 0 to 4 is not school attendance. Pre-Primary generally concerns children who are five before January, and it is not a prerequisite for entry into basic education. Grade 1 generally concerns children who are six before January. Schools may be State Schools or Private Schools and may be classified as Primary, Combined, Secondary or Other. Combined Schools provide primary and secondary education together, which is useful in sparsely populated areas. Other schools include Special or Resource Schools, pre-vocational schools and agricultural schools. A stand-alone Pre-Primary school may appear as a primary school in the Education Management Information System (EMIS). EMIS recorded 2,004 schools in 2023 and 2,061 schools, 927,647 learners and 34,325 teachers in January 2025. The 2023 total included 1,724 State Schools and 280 Private Schools, with 1,111 Primary Schools, 653 Combined Schools, 227 Secondary Schools and 13 Other Schools. A State School may not discriminate or screen applicants and may not refuse admission because a family has not paid a voluntary parent or school contribution. Admission depends on available places and resources. The application uses Form 1, and commonly accepted evidence of age or identity includes a birth certificate, passport, medical passport, baptism card, sworn declaration or confirmation from a Regional Councillor or Headman. A single nationwide catchment-area or first-come rule should not be assumed; the relevant school or regional office can confirm local placement practice. Private Schools must be registered, follow curriculum and quality requirements, and may set their own admission procedures and fees. Compulsory attendance begins on the first school day of the school year in which a child turns six. It continues until the last school day of the year in which the child turns 18, completes secondary education or is assessed as ready to leave. Parents are responsible for registration and regular attendance. An Executive Director may grant an exception or partial exemption when this serves the child’s interests. The Ministry sets the school calendar and minimum teaching days and hours. The National Curriculum for Basic Education 2016, developed by the National Institute for Educational Development (NIED), uses learner-centred, competency-based and subject-based teaching. In Grades 1 to 3, the mother tongue, home language or predominant local language is generally the teaching medium, alongside English, mathematics, environmental studies, religious and moral education, arts and physical education. English becomes the teaching medium from Grade 4, with local-language support. Grades 1 to 9 generally include two languages, one of them English. Available languages can include Afrikaans, English, German, Ju!’hoansi, Khoekhoegowab, Oshikwanyama, Oshindonga, Otjiherero, Rukwangali, Rumanyo, Setswana, Silozi, Thimbukushu and Namibian Sign Language. Foreign languages such as French, German and Portuguese may be offered from Grade 8, depending on the school and available teachers. Grades 5 to 7 add one pre-vocational subject, such as Design and Technology, Elementary Agriculture or Home Ecology. Junior Secondary includes English, another language, mathematics, physical science, life science, geography and history, together with two elective pre-vocational subjects. Senior Secondary offers core, elective and support subjects through academic or pre-vocational streams. Life skills and career guidance form part of school education. Assessment begins with school-readiness assessment in Pre-Primary. Grades 1 to 3 use informal continuous, criterion-referenced assessment and term results. Grades 4 to 7 use continuous assessment and annual examinations. Nationally standardised tests in Grades 5 and 7 do not determine promotion. Grade 9 has a semi-external examination. Grades 10 and 11 lead to the Namibia Senior Secondary Certificate Ordinary (NSSCO), with an external examination at the end of Grade 11. Grade 12 leads to the Namibia Senior Secondary Certificate Advanced Subsidiary (NSSCAS), also through an external examination. The Directorate of National Examinations and Assessment (DNEA) manages national examinations, assessment and certification, including full-time, part-time and support arrangements for learners with difficulties. Promotion requirements use subject grades and an overall average. Grades 1 to 3 generally require at least an E in 6 of 7 subjects, including the medium language with reading, mathematics and an additional language, with an overall E average of 40 percent. Grade 4 generally requires an E in 4 of 5 subjects, including English, mathematics and an additional language, with a 40 percent overall average. Grades 5 to 7 generally require an E in 5 of 6 subjects, including English, mathematics and an additional language, with a 40 percent overall average. Grades 8 and 9 generally require an E in 7 of 9 subjects, including English, with a 40 percent overall average. Progression from Grade 10 to Grade 11 generally requires an E in 5 of 6 subjects, including English. The applicable promotion policy guide should be checked for the exact decision. State Schools do not charge tuition or compulsory education- or examination-related fees, and the state generally provides the curriculum, books and learning materials. Private Schools may charge fees but should disclose them before enrollment. State hostels may have hostel fees and a Hostel Development Fund. A School Development Fund is not a mandatory contribution. Uniforms, transport and optional services vary by school and locality, and Namibia has no single nationwide school-transport service. Inclusive education includes Special or Resource Schools, special units and support within ordinary school settings. The Directorate of Programmes and Quality Assurance (PQA) handles quality assurance, inclusion, counselling, school feeding and hostels. Support can include educational, psychological and social assessment, referrals and placement, assistance for orphans and vulnerable children, Braille, Namibian Sign Language and assistive technology. The Namibia School Feeding Programme, community hostels, school health and safety measures, support for learner pregnancy, menstrual health and safeguarding may affect attendance and participation. School principals provide instructional leadership, while school boards or management structures work with parents and communities. Regional Directorates implement the national framework across Namibia’s 14 education regions. The NSSCO is typically associated with National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 3 and can be followed by work, non-formal or distance learning, or vocational education and training. The NSSCAS can support entry to higher education when the applicable NQF Level 4 entry requirements are met. Higher education and initial vocational education are immediate transitions after school, not school stages themselves.