The Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture has launched the Adult Learners' Week and International Literacy Day.

Education Minister, Sanet Steenkamp urged Namibians to change the way they view adult education, saying there should be no shame in returning to school later in life.

Dr Steenkamp pleaded with the organisers of the event to consider decentralising it to the community level so as to allow government officials to engage directly with adult learners and literacy promoters.

“In the future, I would love us to have such celebrations at a community development learning center, where we are actually meeting the adult learners in action. Those are the most important people I wanted to engage with today.”

Sharing her personal example, the Minister said lifelong learning is about continuous development, regardless of age or previous qualifications.

The Minister noted that lifelong learning is essential for individual empowerment and national development.

“We should never ask somebody, 'Why are you studying only now?' Instead, we should ask, 'What can we do to help you go further?' Life does not give everyone the same starting point."

She encouraged adults to take advantage of opportunities provided through Namcol and other programmes, adding that learning can lead to new careers, skills and personal growth.

Dr Steenkamp further called on citizens to celebrate International Literacy Day on 8 September through the promotion of conversations about literacy and education in their homes, workplaces and communities.

The Deputy Minister of Education, Dino Ballotti, made an example of the First Gentleman, Epaphras Ndaitwah, who is currently enrolled at the University of Namibia.

“He's not looking for a job with another qualification; he's empowering himself. Adult education is real.”