Niël Terblanché
The sixth session of the Children’s Parliament, scheduled to sit from 12 to 19 July, is set to tackle pressing educational challenges in Namibia.
Established 17 years ago, the Children’s Parliament provides a platform for young Namibians to engage in the democratic process, allowing them to understand the legislative process, voice their concerns, and propose changes to legislation that impact their welfare.
This initiative, rooted in the Namibian Constitution’s principles of freedom of expression and fundamental human rights, is a collaboration between the Namibian Parliament and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). Over 60 learners from Namibia’s 14 regions will converge at the National Assembly for the week-long session themed “Transforming Education in Namibia.”
This year’s session aims to address critical post-COVID-19 challenges in the education sector, including school dropouts and learner pregnancy.
According to the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture, more than 15 000 learners dropped out of school in 2021, with more than 2,000 cases attributed to learner pregnancy.
Speaker of the National Assembly, Professor Peter Katjavivi, stressed the significance of the Children’s Parliament and said it is a catalyst for change.
“It empowers our youth to engage in democratic processes, shaping a future where every child’s voice is heard and their rights are upheld,” Katjavivi said.
He said it is a demonstration of Namibia’s commitment to children’s rights through the enactment and ratification of various domestic and international conventions.
The upcoming session will feature youth representatives discussing critical issues in education, including equitable access, gender-based violence, disability inclusion, governance, and the digital divide exacerbated by the pandemic.
These discussions align with the ongoing education reform agenda in Namibia.
National Assembly spokesperson, Sakeus Kadhikwa, reiterated the parliament’s dedication to fostering an inclusive education platform.
“This session will not only focus on identifying challenges but also on proposing actionable recommendations that can contribute to a transformative education system in Namibia,” Kadhikwa said.
Before the session, learners will undergo an intensive induction programme and will be sworn in for a two-year term as members of the sixth Children’s Parliament, complete with a Speaker and a Deputy Speaker.
The participants will then break into Standing Committees to address various issues of concern. Notably, this year’s session will be officially opened by President Nangolo Mbumba, marking a first in the Children’s Parliament’s history.
Previous sessions of the Children’s Parliament have led to significant legislative progress.
Over 98 motions have been tabled and debated, resulting in impactful policies such as the Learner Pregnancy Policy by the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture, which allows young pregnant girls to return to school post-delivery and offers a second chance to those who fail Grade 10.
Additionally, inputs from past sessions were incorporated into the Child Care and Protection Act, including increased grants for Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC).
The Children’s Parliament has also participated in global discussions at prominent international forums like the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).
