Sixty community members in the Erongo region have completed training in horticulture and poultry farming under a government skills development programme aimed at improving food security and creating income opportunities.
The participants received their certificates during a ceremony hosted by the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture through its directorate of adult education and lifelong learning at Arandis on Tuesday.
The training forms part of the National Literacy Programme of Namibia and was offered in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries Water and Land Reform. It focused on practical farming skills to help participants improve food production, start small businesses and earn an income.
Education officer for lifelong learning in the Erongo region Michael Skini says literacy and skills training remain important for reducing poverty and creating opportunities for communities.
“Literacy and skills development remain critical tools for poverty reduction, economic empowerment, self-employment and community development,” he says.
Skini told the participants to use the knowledge and skills they had gained to improve their households, communities and future livelihoods.
The ministry has announced that it has expanded its literacy programme to the Himba Village community outside Uis along the Khorixas road.
An Otjiherero stage one literacy class started on 1 January to provide basic reading, writing and numeracy skills to community members who have had limited access to formal education.
Skini says the ministry is engaging Andrada Mining to build a temporary shaded structure that will serve as a classroom. The facility is expected to provide shelter during bad weather and create better conditions for teaching and learning.
The directorate of adult education and lifelong learning is exploring a workplace literacy programme with the mine. The programme will target employees who cannot read or write well or who want to improve their literacy skills.
Skini says it will first conduct a needs assessment to determine demand and identify the learning needs of workers.
