The Directorate of Adult Education has launched a stakeholder's meeting to take stock of the achievements and challenges and reflect on its mission as a tool for job creation and economic growth.

The Adult Education programme was introduced to up the literacy levels of and unlock the full potential of adult learners and out-of-school youth.

The engagement will be conducted under the theme "Empowering Namibians Through Skills and Entrepreneurship".

"As it is, this theme was crafted to punctuate the importance of community-based initiatives that are in synchrony with the National Development Plan Agenda, which calls for adults, out-of-school youth, and community members in general to have bankable life skills required to secure self-employment, fight hunger and poverty, promote good health, and generally enhance the social well-being of our people," said Education Executive Director Gerard Vries.

Chief Education Officer for Adult Education, Ester Kapolo, explained that the aim of the engagement is to strengthen existing initiatives, explore new partnerships, and build a resilient, inclusive, and skills-driven adult education system.

"For many years, the directorate has worked tirelessly, often in isolation, to promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. However, we have come to realise that real progress cannot happen without the meaningful involvement of stakeholders from across sectors: the government, the civil society, the development partners, educational institutions, and community learning centres."

By achieving these objectives, Kapolo says they hope to move to a coordinated national response, one that sees adult education not just as a policy but as the powerful tool for economic resilience, dignity, and national development that it has the potential to be.