Labs That Exist Only in Textbooks and Subject Packages that Close Career Doors
Namibian students are struggling with a new curriculum that requires practical science and research skills in schools lacking basic infrastructure like laboratories and computers. This resource gap is reportedly hindering students' academic performance and future career prospects.
Why it matters
The disparity between curriculum requirements and available school resources highlights systemic educational inequality and the challenges of implementing national policy in underfunded regions.
In classroom across Namibia, Grade 11 pupils are opening chemistry textbooks while sitting at desks with no lab next door.
They are being told to do research but they are in schools that have no computers. And many are discovering that the subjects they were given may quietly close the door on the careers they’ve dreamed of since primary school.
The education ministry’s decision to introduce some of the combined subjects for Grade 11 was aimed at creating well-rounded pupils. But on the ground, the rollout has left schools scrambling.
At several combined and junior secondary schools, chemistry is now part of the core offering. The challenge is that the buildings were never designed for it, like the school in which I completed Grade 11 – no lab, no chemistry tools, teachers demonstrate experiments by drawing them. Learners memorise steps they have never performed.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in