UNESCO has already supported the digitization of education in several African countries since 2015 through this program. These include Côte d'Ivoire, Senegal, and Ghana.

The Namibian government has partnered with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to integrate digital technologies into the national education system, officials announced Wednesday.

The initiative, launched March 12, is part of the third phase of the "ICT Transforming Education in Africa – Phase III" program, initiated in 2015 by UNESCO in partnership with the Korean Funds-in-Trust (KFIT). The program aims to leverage information and communication technologies (ICT) for educational development in sub-Saharan Africa.

In Namibia, the National Institute for Educational Development (NIED) will implement the project. It includes the creation of a national digital platform with curriculum-aligned content, digital skills training for teachers and learners, and the development of a comprehensive policy on ICT use in education.

The Namibian government considers ICT a key driver for transforming education, as outlined in the 2023-2030 charter project stemming from the 2022 National Education Conference. A needs assessment conducted between June and August 2024 identified challenges including access to digital learning resources, teachers’ digital skills, and the regulatory framework governing ICT use in schools.

"[...]The dynamic nature of technology necessitates continuous adaptation and innovation. If we are to fully harness the potential of ICT fully for enhanced teaching and learning, we must build upon our achievements and address the existing gaps. This project presents us with a remarkable opportunity to further our efforts in the digital transformation of education," said Anna Nghipondoka, Minister of Education, Arts, and Culture.

The digitization of education depends on widespread internet access in schools and homes. According to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), 62.2% of Namibia’s estimated 2.9 million population has internet access, and 63.2% of households are connected. However, the household figure may include households where only one member has a subscription, including mobile access.

By Isaac K. Kassouwi,

Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji