Population (approx.)2 millionLiteracy StatisticsOverall: 38.0%Male: 45.0%Female: 31.0%GNP Per Capita (US Dollars)$5,390Source: The World Bank Development Indicators, 1996; CIA World Fact Book 1997 |
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Country Report presented by Bernadette H. Mukulu
After the completion of the three stages of the literacy phase of the adult basic education program described in the previous Namibia country presentation, learners can continue with the Adult Skills Development for Self Employment (ASDSE).
This phase is co-sponsored by the First National Bank and includes income-generating activities aimed at poverty alleviation. The program involves a team of project managers, economists, training coordinators, credit specialists, and training assistants in seven educational regions in Namibia. Any adult learner or community member who wants to run an income-generating project can benefit from the program.
In addition to ASDSE, there are two pilot projects which will start during the 1998 Literacy Week in September. One is the Adult Upper Primary Education Project (AUPE) and the other is the Community Learning and Development Centers (CLDC).
The objectives of the AUPE project are:
- sustaining and increasing literacy levels;
- providing greater access to continuing education and vocational training;
- improving the quality of life; and
- increasing participation in the political, social, and economic development of communities
Admission criteria for the Adult Upper Primary Education is successful completion of Stage III of the basic literacy program or grade 4. Others can take a standardized admission test in literacy, numeracy, and English. The curriculum has been designed to be the equivalent to the upper primary program in the formal system.
The task of the CLDC project is to promote lifelong learning and to support local initiatives. The centers are expected to function as a "one-stop development shopping center" where a variety of services are made available to all interested adults from the area on an ongoing basis.
Country Report presented by Maria Tharacky Namupala
After independence in 1990, the newly elected Namibian government faced the task of alleviating inequalities in Namibian society that had resulted from apartheid rule. In order to increase the effective provision of education, the responsibility for education was divided between two ministries: the Ministry of Basic Education and Culture and the Ministry of Higher Education, Vocational Training, Science and Technology.
The National Literacy Program in Namibia (NLPN) and was started in 1992 under the Ministry of Basic Education and Culture because adult basic education is considered an integral part of the national education system. The major goals of the program are increased access, equity of programs, and democracy.
Under the NLPN, the literacy phase of adult basic education comprises three stages lasting one year each and involving at least 240 lesson hours (either 6 hours per week for 40 weeks or 12 hours per week for 20 weeks)
Stage 1: Provides literacy in any one of nine mother tongues spoken in the country and basic numeracy.
Stage 2: Continues mother tongue literacy, reinforcing and extending basic literacy and numeracy skills.
Stage 3: Introduces basic English, the official language of Namibia, and further develops numeracy skills.
The satisfactory completion of all three stages of the adult literacy program is considered equivalent to the completion of grade 4 of formal education and a certificate is issued.
Based the NLPN, the Ministry of Basic Education and Culture also began the Adult Skills Development for Self Employment Program. This program helps unemployed and under-employed populations in obtaining credit and basic managerial skills for new and established micro-enterprises.
In the near future, the Ministry also intends to establish community learning and development centers to promote life-long learning and support local development initiatives. These centers are to offer a broad range of learning and development opportunities to the communities and provide cultural activities, skills training, access to television and video, and small micro enterprises development services.
INTERNATIONAL LITERACY
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