83% of People with Disabilities Don’t Have Formal Education

By: Annakleta Haikera

 

Namibia continues to grapple with educational challenges faced by people living with disabilities, particularly in rural areas, where a staggering 83% lack formal education.

This issue disproportionately affects young girls and women, with women comprising over 51,215 individuals, compared to around 48,288 men, as reported by Jessica Gawachab, the project manager of the National Disability Council of Namibia.

The recent two-day legislative review project on the Persons With Disabilities Bill and the National Policy on Disability, held in Rundu, Kavango East region, shed light on the pressing need for attention to the educational disparities faced by this demographic.

Statistics reveal a stark contrast between rural and urban areas, with 82.3% of people living with disabilities lacking formal education in rural regions, while the figure drops to 17.7% in urban areas, underscoring a significant disadvantage for those in rural settings.