Conference aimed to provide a platform for the public and key stakeholders to scrutinize the current state of the education and training system in Namibia and develop strategies to address it. All recommendations made at the Conference were subsequently approved by Cabinet. Cabinet, inter alia gave a directive that free primary education must prevail in accordance with the provision of the Namibian Constitution. As from January 2013, free primary education was implemented. The government’s commitment benefits most learners from socio-economic disadvantaged backgrounds, including those children belonging to marginalized communities. The Namibia National Students Organization (NANSO) is the country’s national student organization and is recognized by the Government. Learners at all Government secondary schools as well as students at tertiary institutions have the right to elect their Learner/Student Representative Councils to address educational issues at school level and with the Government. 15.4 Access to health facilities All Namibians have access to health facilities and antiretroviral medicine is offered to them free of charge. Approximately 131 158 of infected people need ARV treatment in the country, and 75 681(69%) people were on ARV treatment as at March 2010 which increased to 113 486 (90%) people during 2012/13 financial year. The Namibia Household Income and Expenditure Survey (NHIES) of 2009/2010 indicates that 30% of households in Namibia are situated 1 kilometers or less to the nearest hospitals or clinics and 36% live between 2 and 5 kilometers away. However, about 7% still have to travel more than 40 kilometers to reach a hospital or a clinic, especially in the rural areas. Through the Fourth National Development Plan (2013-2017) the Government has identified access to quality health services as a key priority to increase the standard of living for people living in urban and rural areas. The Government monitors the progress on maternal mortality through periodic Demographic Health Surveys (DHS). The latest DHS was carried out in 2013 and the report was issued in 2014. The maternal mortality ratio has increased from 225 deaths per 100,000 live births in 1992 to 449 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2006/2007. The Namibian Household Census of 2011 - 37 -