Windhoek: Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Sanet Steenkamp has highlighted a significant crisis in foundational literacy and numeracy in Namibia. According to her, a staggering seven out of ten learners in the country are unable to read simple text or complete basic mathematical tasks, a situation that mirrors challenges faced by many African nations.

According to Namibia Press Agency, Steenkamp informed the National Assembly that the lack of strong foundational literacy and numeracy skills is hindering academic progression among learners. This, in turn, is affecting their long-term employment prospects and readiness for the workforce. She emphasized the profound implications of this issue, which restricts the nation's ability to engage in knowledge-driven industries and adversely impacts economic growth and social stability. She identified systemic deficiencies across various areas as the roots of Namibia's learning poverty challenges, which limit the country's capacity to develop skilled professionals.

Steenkamp revealed alarming statistics from the 2024 national end-of-phase Grade 3 literacy and numeracy assessment. Only 32 per cent of learners achieved the minimum pass rate of 40 per cent in numeracy, with a mere five per cent scoring 75 per cent or higher. Additionally, 82 per cent of sampled learners failed to achieve expected counting competency, 62 per cent struggled with comparing numbers, and 70 per cent found it difficult to understand place value up to 999. The literacy results were equally concerning, with only 28 per cent of learners meeting the minimum pass rate, and just three per cent achieving a score of 75 per cent or higher.

In response to this crisis, Steenkamp announced the official launch of the End Learning Poverty for All in Africa (ELPAf) campaign in Namibia, scheduled from 29 to 31 July in Opuwo, Kunene Region. She emphasized the importance of leading the charge in Namibia and investing in the nation's children to build a future where every child can read, solve problems, and thrive.

Steenkamp stated that education is more than just a policy; it is a promise to every child. She added that the ministry's roadmap is designed to deliver practical and context-relevant numeracy solutions that reach every learner from the beginning of their educational journey.