The NHIES of 2009/2010 reveals that about 49% of the households in Namibia are situated less than 2 kilometers to the nearest primary school, and 25% live within a distance of 2 to 3 kilometers. About 8 % of the households in the country still live more than 20 kilometers from the nearest primary school. The situation in urban areas is different, where 71% of the households live within 1 kilometer to a primary school compared to 31% of households in the rural areas. The Ministry of Education, in collaboration with other line ministries and NGOs has implemented the Forum for African Women Educationalists in the country (FAWENA) project which aims to integrate the vulnerable children, including the San children, into the basic education system, with the special focus on the education of girls. The Office of the Prime Minister’s Special Programme for Marginalized Communities also provide educational needs such as school uniforms, toiletries, transport, examination and hostel fees to these children. In 2012, gender parity was largely achieved at both primary and secondary levels, with equal enrolment ratios in primary schools, and more girls than boys enrolled in secondary schools. The “Education for All (EFA)” National Plan of Action of 2001-2015, aims at ensuring that by 2015 all children particularly girls and those from the marginalized groups have access to free and compulsory primary education. The Plan also addresses issues related to access to education and this means that all schools (primary and secondary) are built within 5km walking distance. Also access to education has been greatly improved by the adoption and implementation of the Education Sector Policy for Orphans and Vulnerable Children (2008), Education Sector Policy for the Prevention and Management of Learner Pregnancy (2009), Sector Policy on Inclusive Education (2013) and the implementation of Universal Primary Education (2013). Amongst others, the goals of this the Education Sector Policy on Prevention and Management of Learner Pregnancy is to promote the continued education of pregnant learners and to ensure the equal treatment of the female and male learners. A National Conference on Education was held from 27 June – 1 July 2011 to discuss the many challenges in the education sector under the theme “Collective Delivery of the Education Promise; Improving the Education and training System for Quality learning Outcomes and Quality of Life”. The - 36 -

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