Forum Südliches Afrika, 15. April 2021: Basic education in Namibia – the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic

2020 was a difficult year for all in the Namibian education fraternity. Due to the pandemic, alternative models of continued learning had to be developed amounting to home schooling over considerable periods. Teachers had to develop online materials, the curriculum had to be rationalised. Depending on different school grades, learners missed between 53 and 119 school days in 2020. While online teaching went well for some learners, in some regions, according to media reports, more than 90% did not have access to the internet, and therefore missed out on distant learning.

Beatrice Losper is Principal in a secondary school, and Katrina Simeon in a primary school, both in Windhoek.