Compulsory education in Namibia starts at the primary level at the age of 6. Primary education consists of seven years from Grades 1 to 7 and aims to prepare children for secondary education. Primary education in Namibia is divided into Junior Primary and senior primary education.
The junior primary level lays the foundation for all further education. The government of Namibia introduced free education in 2013 to promote access to everyone. The main goal of primary education t is to enable students to acquire the fundamental knowledge and skills to develop basic cultural competence and to prepare them for secondary education. Public schools are free in Namibia but parents are required to pay for uniforms, stationery, and books.
- Duration of study: 7 years
- Ages : 6-12 years
- Primary Languages: English, and local languages
- Terms : 3 (1st term- January to April, 2nd Term- May to August, and 3rd Term September to December)
- Admission Term: 1st Term (January)
From the 1st Grade 1 to the third grade the students learn to read and write in two languages. They also learn basic mathematics, the community and nature around them and how to look after their health, basic computer skills, and they gradually develop their creative skills and how to express themselves.
In senior primary school, the students build on the foundations gained in the junior primary. They develop irreversible literacy and numeracy, learning skills, gain basic knowledge and skills in natural sciences, social sciences, technology, and the arts, and participate in physical education. At this stage, English then becomes the medium of instruction is in Grade 4
The primary school curriculum in Namibia focuses on areas including but not limited to Five core subjects namely English, Mother Tongue, Mathematics, Natural Science and Health Education, Social Studies, pre-vocational subjects including Elementary Agriculture, Design and Technology, Life Skills, Religious and Moral Education, Arts, Information and Communication, Physical Education, to mention but a few.
Examples International Primary Schools in Namibia
The following are some of the international schools you can find in Namibia and where, as a foreigner, your child is guaranteed to attain a good and international education.
Windhoek International School
This is an international school founded to serve the needs of the children of the international community in Namibia and locals as well. The primary school offers an integrated curriculum that allows students to make connections and to become independent learners who are responsible for their learning. The school also offers smaller classes with a low teacher-student ratio enabling individual student attention.
- Founded: 1990
- Location: Windhoek, Namibia
- Address: Scheppmann Street, Pioneers Park Ext. 1
- Type: Non-Profit
- Enrolment: 400+
- Teachers: 80+
- Accreditation: New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), International Baccalaureate, Cambridge
- Membership: Council of International Schools (CIS)
The school offers a Primary Years Program (PYP) designed for students aged 3 to 12 that incorporates social, physical, emotional, academic, and cultural aspects of learning. The school offers a broad curriculum encompassing various areas including:
- Mathematics
- Standard Mathematics
- Sciences- Integrated, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Earth and Space and Lab Skills
- Languages- French, German, and Portuguese
- Social Studies
- Visual Arts
- Drama
- Approaches to Learning- Thinking, Social, Self-Management, Communication and Research Skills English
- Physical Education, to mention but a few.
Tuition and fees
Parents and guardians can expect to pay the following as fees:
Grades Standard Rate Local Rate
Grade 1 179 200 77 000
Grade 2 179 200 77 000
Grade 3 198 500 77 000
Grade 4 198 500 77 000
Grade 5 198 500 77 000
Grade 6 228 000 82 500
Grade 7 228 000 82 500
Other costs
Capital levy (yearly) 7 000 7 000
Enrolment fee (once-off) 11 500 11 500
Co-curricular activities- students can take part in a variety of enriching activities including sports activities, various clubs, Model United Nations, Community, Action, Service, and Outdoor Education, or educational trips.
St Paul’s College
It is an international Christian school internationally recognized for its academic excellence. It is located in Windhoek, close to the city center.The school is wholly cognizant of the country's needs and is committed to providing an all-around, international, relevant education for students from the 1st grade to the 12th grade. The primary school here incorporates all grades and the teachers are well trained and incorporate the best teaching practices.
- Founded: 1962
- Location: Windhoek, Namibia
- Address: 20 Jan Jonker Road Klein, Windhoek, Namibia
- Type: Christian, Non-Profit
- Accreditation: Cambridge
The school offers a variety of subjects in areas including English as a First Language, Mathematics, Science, Social Science, Drama, Music, and Art while German and Afrikaans are taught as a second language.
Lower Primary- lower primary school here aims to provide a solid foundation on which to build confident, successful, and enthusiastic students, well-equipped for the demands of the dynamic world.
Upper Primary- students at this level build upon the foundations gained in junior primary school. Upper Primary education emphasizes critical thinking skills, study techniques, research and presentation skills, and preparation of students for the next level of education, which is junior secondary school.
Curriculum- lower primary curriculum focuses on areas including Literacy, Numeracy, Additional languages, Technology, Physical Education, Non-promotional subjects. Subjects and programs include English as a 1st language, Afrikaans, German, and French as a 2nd language, Mathematics, Environmental Studies, Religious and Moral Education, Physical Education, Swimming, Music, Art, Drama, Public Speaking, Library, ICT (Information and Communication Technology), and Chess.
Extracurricular activities and clubs- students can take part in enriching extracurricular activities and sports. They also have the option to join a club where they can excel. clubs and activities include Athletics, Hockey, Cricket, Soccer, Archery, Olympic Kids, Kiddie Sport, Karate, Mountain Biking, Tennis, Lego Robotics, Little Medical School, Drama, Yoga, Karate, and Dance Mouse to mention but a few.
Fees and tuition
The following fees are applicable for local students and for international students as shown below. Note that all fees are in Namibian Dollars (N$)
Entrance Examination Fee N$ 400.00
Non-Refundable Enrolment Fee (New Pupils) N$ 6000.
Fees for Locals
Grade Per Annum Monthly x 11 months
Grade R 61 600 5600
Grade 1 62 460 5679
Grade 2 62 460 5679
Grade 3 62 460 5679
Grade 4 62 460 5679
Grade 5 62 460 5679
Grade 6 62 460 5679
Grade 7 68 420 6220
Fees for Foreigners
Grade fees Per Anum Monthly x 11 months
Grade R 107 800 9 800
Grade 1 109 305 9 939
Grade 2 109 305 9 939
Grade 3 109 305 9 939
Grade 4 109 305 9 939
Grade 5 109 305 9 939
Grade 6 109 305 9 939
Grade 7 119 735 10 885
St Georges Diocesan School
This is an international school with more than 100 years of experience and one of the best schools in Namibia. The school’s dedicated teachers and staff are committed to providing a nurturing environment where students can excel and thrive. St Georges offers a preparatory school or primary school for children in the 1st to the 7th grade. Education is offered at two levels here, namely, lower primary from grades 1 to 3 and upper primary from grades 4 to 7.
- Established: 1919
- Address: 17-21 Sinclair Road, Windhoek, Namibia
- Duration of study: 2 years
- Primary Languages: English, and local languages
- Terms : 3
Curriculum- the school offers a broad curriculum aimed at encouraging student development in a variety of areas. The primary school curriculum includes the following:
Social and Emotional Development- Social Interaction, Relationships, Self-Regulation, Empathy and Caring, Self, Work Ethic, Resilience, and Social Awareness
Cognitive and Perceptual Development- Visual Perceptual Skills, Auditory Perceptual Skills, Physical Integration, and Cognitive Skills
Physical Development- Gross Motor, Fine Motor, and General
Language Literacy (First Language - English) - Listening and Speaking, Phonemic Awareness, Developing an Awareness of Text and Incidental Reading, Pre-Writing Skills, and Drawing
Numeracy- Number Concept Development- Patterns, Functions and Algebra, Space and Shape (Geometry), Measurement, and Data Handling
Knowledge and Skills
Creative Arts- Performing Arts, Visual Arts, and Art Appreciation
Upper Primary- upper primary offers the following subjects:
Compulsory subjects- English, Afrikaans, German Foreign Language (Grades 5 to 7), Mathematics, Social Studies, Science
Additional subjects- Art and Design, Class Music, Cambridge ICT, Library, Motor Skills (Grade 4 only), Education, Religious Education, and Student Development or Life Skills.
Tuition and fees
Tuition and fees for primary education here are as follows:
Fees for locals
School Fees Annual (Per Year) Monthly (10 months) Full payment by 31 Jan.
Grades 1 - 4 N$60 168 N$6 017 N$57 160
Grades 5 - 7 N$60 696 N$6 070 N$57 661
Fees for Non-Citizens
School Fees Annual (Per Year) Monthly (10 months) Full Payment by 31 Jan.
Grades 1 - 4 N$96 269 N$9 627 N$91 456
Grades 5 - 7 N$97 114 N$9 711 N$92 258