Education Support

In rural communities like Etanga, access to school is often more about logistics and affordability than motivation. Families are not resisting education. They’re navigating the economic realities that come with it. While public schooling in Namibia is technically tuition-free, the real cost of attendance tells a different story.

Students are expected to cover their own uniforms, school supplies, backpacks, hygiene items, and textbooks. These costs can range between N$600–1,200 per child per year (approximately $35–70 USD) depending on the grade level and distance from school. For many households whose income is irregular or dependent on subsistence herding, these amounts are difficult to sustain. When students must attend school outside of Etanga, boarding and hostel fees, as well as transport, can increase costs significantly.

These barriers have real consequences:

  • Attendance drops off sharply after grade 7, when boarding becomes more common

  • Girls are especially vulnerable to dropout due to added financial strain or domestic responsibilities

  • Some students sleep overnight in classrooms or rely on extended relatives in town, often without reliable meals or bedding

The Etanga Development Foundation works to ease these pressure points in ways that align with what families and local schools are already doing. Our education support program includes:

  • Uniforms & Essential Supplies – We provide uniforms, notebooks, pens, exam pads, and hygiene items, ensuring students are equipped and confident.

  • Transport & Boarding Fees – When needed, we assist with school transport arrangements or modest hostel support for students living far from town.

  • Support for Local Schools – We coordinate with educators to deliver classroom resources, small repairs, and occasional logistical help during exam seasons.

  • After-School Support – Structured programming for homework help, language development, and life skills creates consistency and care outside of school hours.

Our approach is responsive, not prescriptive. We don’t design programs in isolation. We listen, adapt, and offer practical support where it’s most needed. In a place where education already holds deep value, sometimes all that’s required is a little consistency, a pair of shoes, or a ride to the classroom.

This is not about delivering opportunity. It’s about making sure that opportunity isn’t blocked by avoidable barriers.