Analysts warn free HE policy could worsen unemployment

Political analysts have urged Namibia’s government to first address the root causes of unemployment before introducing a free tertiary education policy, writes Justicia Shipena for the Windhoek Observer.

Political analyst Sakaria Johannes has cautioned the government to examine the root causes of unemployment before rolling out free tertiary education. In an interview with the Windhoek Observer last week, Johannes said the real issue is not access to education but the growing number of unemployed graduates.

“The leaders should start by asking, ‘What is the real problem that we have? Are they people who want to go to school but cannot afford it? Or is it that we already have graduates who don’t have jobs?” he said. His remarks come after President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah announced during her state of the nation address that the government will offer free tertiary and vocational education starting in 2026. Johannes warned that while the policy sounds good, it could add pressure to an already fragile job market.
Full report on the Observer24 site