Members of Parliament in the National Council have commended the government for investing in the education sector.
They were commended as they welcomed the budget allocation of over N$18 billion to the Ministry of Education, Arts, and Culture.
MPs expressed confidence in the ministry's ability to effectively execute the budget and sustain efforts towards infrastructural development.
The National Council opened for business today, commencing the 12th session of the 6th National Council.
The House of Review started off the session by debating the Appropriation Bill, which has been passed by the National Assembly.
Speaking at the start of the session, National Council Chairperson Lukas Muha stated that the council must ensure that matters of international, national, and regional concern are fairly looked at.
Women's representation in parliament worldwide has increased slightly from 26.5% to 26.9% this year.
These statistics were collected after over 60 parliaments in 52 countries held their parliamentary elections in 2023.
The sub-Saharan Africa region accounts for the third highest, at over 27%.
According to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), electoral quotas have been instrumental in improving women's representation, with over 28% of women elected having come from electoral gender quota systems.
Swapo Party MP Olivia Hanghuwo tabled a report in the National Council on the high failure rate of learners allegedly because of the revised curriculum.
The report stems from an oversight visit to the Parliament of Finland to investigate the possible causes of the high failure rate of learners over the past two years.
The National Assembly and the National Council had a joint session today to commemorate the 34th anniversary of the Namibian Constitution.
Parliamentarians paid tribute to the late President Hage Geingob, reflecting on the profound journey that led to the birth of the Constitution, adopted on February 9, 1990, under the leadership of Dr. Geingob.
The adoption of the Namibian Constitution exactly 34 years ago ushered in the road to a new state, dismantling apartheid-era laws, ensuring equality before the law, and guaranteeing fundamental human rights.
The Chairperson of the National Council, Lukas Muha, conveyed deep sadness over the death of President Hage Geingob.
Recognised as a freedom fighter and unifier, Muha emphasised Dr. Geingob's pivotal role in the nation's liberation.
Muha underscored the late president's exceptional leadership during the Constituent Assembly, where he played a key role in the unanimous adoption of Namibia's Constitution on February 9, 1990.
With the 34th anniversary of this historic event approaching, Muha urged the nation to reflect on and honour Geingob's enduring legacy.
Being a parliamentarian is more than just attending sessions or reviewing pieces of legislation.
The buzzword now is 'parliamentary diplomacy' and it is expected of MPs to be knowledgeable about domestic and international relationships.
It is for this reason that National Council MPs are being equipped with skills related to diplomacy, protocol, and etiquette at Swakopmund.
The training workshop is being attended by National Council MPs and law enforcement officials.
The Minister of Works and Transport, John Mutorwa, has announced phase two of the upgrade on the Charlie Cutline Road, 70 kilometres west of Rundu.
The second phase is set to run for six months, covering at least 35 kilometres at a cost of N$29.8 million.
The road connects the Kavango East, Kavango West, Oshikoto, and Ohangwena regions.
The second phase of the upgrade has already started, and it has so far covered 10 kilometres.
There was overwhelming support for the two Private Member Bills currently under review in the National Council, albeit with heated debate.
The Bills which also received unanimous support from the National Assembly, introduced by Swapo MP Jerry Ekandjo in his private capacity, surround the definition of spouse and marriage.
