Independent Schools in Namibia

Gross enrolment overall: 71.2% (2008)

Primary female–male ratio: 0.98:1 (2009)

Secondary female–male ratio: 1.17:1 (2007)

Primary pupil–teacher ratio: 30:1 (2009)

Secondary pupil–teacher ratio: 25:1 (2008)

There are ten years of compulsory education starting at age six. Primary school comprises seven years and secondary five. In 1993 English replaced Afrikaans as the main language of instruction. The Namibian Constitution provides free education until the age of 16 or completion of primary education. Some 83% of pupils complete primary school (2008). The school year starts in January.

A number of Namibia’s independent schools belong to the Independent Schools Association of Southern Africa (ISASA), which is the largest and oldest association of independent (private) schools in the southern Africa region. One example is the Karibib Private School, a boarding school that also has many day students; another is the Deutsche Höhere Privatschule (DHPS), which covers the foundation stage (reception or kindergarten) to Grade 12, and which gives pupils the option of sitting either the Namibian Senior Secondary Certificate qualification in Grade 12 or the German International Abitur Examination.