The Namibia Training Authority (NTA) visited the Tsumkwe Constituency to address barriers preventing marginalized communities from accessing technical and vocational education and training (TVET) and the high school dropout rate.

Addressing the workshop, NTA research coordinator Tuwilika Shikongo highlighted various challenges and barriers faced by the marginalized community.

She said the focus would be placed on ensuring that marginalized groups and persons with disabilities have access to TVET programs to uplift them and improve their living conditions.

Hausiku Kudumo, a Tsumkwe resident and former University of Namibia (UNAM) student, said parents in marginalized communities are faced with numerous challenges, including unemployment, thereby being unable to even provide their children with pocket money or buy them clothes and toiletries.

He however urged parents to encourage their children to work hard, no matter how many struggles they are faced with.

The workshop discussed the challenges of a high entry requirement, the long distances that students travel from their villages to their nearest training centers, and a lack of financial support.

It was decided that the solution was for vocational training centers to relax their entry requirements for marginalized communities, to build a training center closer for the youth to access, and to provide 100% support in tuition fees, accommodation, transport, and food.