Niël Terblanché
The Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture, in partnership with UNESCO Namibia, has officially launched the ICT Transforming Education in Africa – Phase III initiative, an ambitious project aimed at integrating digital technology into the education system.
The initiative forms part of the UNESCO-Korean Funds-in-Trust (KFIT) programme, a multinational effort to harness information and communication technology (ICT) for educational development across Sub-Saharan Africa.
Education minister Ester Anna Nghipondoka described the project as an essential step in modernising the education system to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
“Technology is no longer a luxury; it is a necessity. If we are to fully harness the potential of ICT for enhanced teaching and learning, we must build upon our achievements and address the existing gaps,” she said.
According to the minister, the project will be implemented through the National Institute for Educational Development (NIED) and is structured around four core objectives: the creation of a national digital platform with curriculum-aligned content, digital skills training for teachers and learners, and the development of a comprehensive ICT policy for the education sector.
She said a needs assessment conducted between June and August 2024 identified several areas requiring intervention, including the accessibility of digital learning materials, the digital competency of educators, and the broader policy framework governing ICT use in schools.
“This initiative responds directly to those findings,” she explained while adding that the programme aims to ensure every Namibian child has equal access to digital learning opportunities.
UNESCO’s Head of Office in Namibia, Eunice Smith, reiterated the transformative potential of digital education, highlighting the role of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and immersive technologies in reshaping learning environments.
“Education must prepare students for a rapidly evolving, technology-driven world,” she said.
Smith also said that Namibia joins Uganda and Tanzania in Phase III of the ICT Transforming Education in Africa initiative, which has previously been implemented in six other African countries.
“Since its inception in 2016, the initiative has been guided by key principles, including country ownership, sustainability, and cross-country learning,” she said.
The initiative aligns with national and global educational policies, including Vision 2030, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and UNESCO’s 42 C/5 Output 8.ED8, which promotes inclusive digital learning.
It also complements Objective 4 of the National Conference on Education (2022) Project Charter, which focuses on universal digital learning access.
Both Nghipondoka and Smith stressed the importance of collective responsibility in ensuring the project’s success.
The Government of Korea, through UNESCO, has provided funding for the initiative, a contribution both officials acknowledged as critical in addressing resource constraints.
Smith urged all stakeholders to support the initiative. “By working together, we can create an education system that is innovative, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of all learners,” she said.
