Governor of Kavango West Region Sirkka Ausiku has expressed her appreciation for institutions of higher learning set up in the region.
This was shared during the celebration of 2024 African Decentralisation, Local Governance, and Local Development Day at Nkurenkuru.
Namibia joined other African Union member states in commemorating the Africa Day of Decentralisation, Local Governance, and Local Development under the theme "Building resilient education and skilling systems rooted in Africa's realities at the local level."
The event was attended by representatives from, among others, different ministries from all 14 regions.
Kavango West being the youngest region, Governor Ausiku shared that more institutions have opened in the region, which was not the case in the past.
"This year's theme, "Building resilient education and skilling systems rooted in Africa's realities at the local level," is resonating well with the region's quest for more institutions of higher learning that will provide the required skills needed for the achievement of the regional goals and objectives. The completion of the Nkurenkuru Vocational Training Centre will fill the gap in the skills required, especially for the youth who are neither in employment, education, or training (NEET)."
Public and private institutions have been called upon to decentralise their functions to improve service delivery, especially services concerning vulnerable people.
The Education, Arts, and Culture Ministry is one of the governments that has embraced decentralisation.
"The Ministry of Education, Arts, and Culture takes pride in being an active participant in the decentralisation process, which is aiming at taking services closer to our people. Our ministry is one of the pioneer ministries that have decentralised its functions to all 14 regions. We have well-established and functioning directorates that are under the 14 regional councils, with staff members up to the level of directors."
The Minister of Urban and Rural Development Erastus Uutoni emphasised that regional councils and local authorities should ensure that government policies, laws, and programs are designed with the involvement of the locals.
"In addition to the provisions of the supreme law of our land, the Constitution, the role of grassroots communities in governance and development is emphasised through targeted policies and legal instruments such as our policy and law on decentralisation, which provide and guide a systematic transfer of functions and decision-making powers from offices and ministries at the central level to institutions of government that are closer to the people at regional and local levels.
The event was preceded by discussions involving experts and stakeholders in education and skills development, including learners, students, and youth groups.