The Executive Director in the Ministry of Education, Arts, and Culture has raised concerns regarding the planning, transparency, and management of funds related to the procurement of stationery and hygiene packages. 

Sanet Steenkamp noted that in some regions, certain schools have not been forthcoming about how the government subsidies are utilised.

Steenkamp emphasised that for the current financial year, an additional N$100 was allocated for each child in school, specifically for stationery, with an additional N$15 for hygiene packages.

Furthermore, a total of N$90 million has been distributed to regional directorates for stationery procurement. 

She raised concerns about the use of these funds, noting that many regions procured stationery using two different methods: either directly from service suppliers or by depositing funds into school accounts. 

While most regions ensured accountability by obtaining reports from schools on their procurement, some have failed to maintain transparency regarding how school budgets and subsidies were utilised.

Illustrating examples of failed execution plans, Steenkamp pointed out that if schools continue to rely on the same supplier for textbooks that do not deliver, they are failing to effectively serve the Namibian child.

She emphasised that such practices undermine the necessary transparency and accountability within the education system.

The Ministry has declared this year's theme as "Building Strong Foundations and Maintaining Excellence," which highlights its commitment to transforming education and ensuring quality learning. 

This theme underscores that mastering the basics is crucial for achieving consistency and excellence.

 It emphasizes the importance of executing tasks correctly the first time, which is vital for creating a strong educational environment.