Note: This document may not always reflect the actual appropriations determined by Congress. Final budget allocations for USAID's programs are not determined until after passage of an appropriations bill and preparation of the Operating Year Budget (OYB).
NAMIBIA
FY 1998 Development Fund for Africa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $8,000,000 Introduction
The United States has a key interest in fostering an environment for democracy, stability and economic growth in the southern Africa region. Namibia's constructive, indeed exemplary, role as a major player in the region is being enhanced through U.S. assistance. The United States played an important diplomatic role in helping Namibia to achieve independence. Today's focus is on helping Namibia to become a model for democracy and development in southern Africa, as well as a positive force for conflict resolution throughout the region. Namibia is in a strategic area of southern Africa. As Namibia makes a peaceful transition from minority domination to truly democratic majority rule and achieves full participation by the formerly disadvantaged population in Namibia's economic development, the stability of the entire southern Africa region is improved.Despite the country's limited supply of well-trained personnel, Namibia's excellent economic policies and free market approach are showing results. In the past year, eight new companies entered Namibia's Free Trade Zone, including General Motors (GM). In late 1996, GM broke ground for a new $33 million assembly plant, which will use semi-knockdown kits imported from the United States. USAID management and technical training programs and advice on deregulation will continue to support such investments. Namibia's unique natural environment and its eco-tourism promotion policy have resulted in tremendous growth in tourism. USAID has been supporting these activities with assistance in natural resource management and environmental education. Namibia is poised to reach middle income status, setting the stage for its planned graduation from U.S. assistance in 2005. USAID's program focuses on helping Namibia develop the institutional capacity needed to move to this new status.
The Development Challenge.
Seven years after independence, Namibia is actively engaged in a multi-racial effort to remove the last vestiges of a century of colonial rule and decades of apartheid, the results of which are gross socioeconomic disparities and inequalities that place Namibia significantly below South Africa and Botswana on the 1996 United Nations Human Development Report's Profile of Human Deprivation list. Namibia's highly skewed distribution of income favors the five percent minority that receives 70% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), occupies most of the cultivable land and enjoys incomes on a par with developed countries. This is contrasted with a majority black population which was forced to live predominantly in the rural north on less productive communal lands, surviving on annual incomes of $100-$200 per annum with limited access to basic social services. Namibia is one of the driest countries on earth. Most of the population lives between the Kalahari and Namib deserts. Namibia faces critical environmental challenges that are exacerbated by frequent drought and a lack of perennial rivers. Currently, it is facing economic difficulties due to two consecutive drought years, and a potential third year, which will affect the agricultural sector. Other major challenges include high adult illiteracy (60%), high unemployment (40%), high population growth rates (3%) and the growing incidence of HIV/AIDS, now reported to be 100,000 cases as of November 1996.In March 1995, the Government of the Republic of Namibia (GRN) established a new Ministry of Higher Education, Vocational Training, Science and Technology to strengthen vocational-training and higher-education institutes. The Ministry seeks to address the nation's shortage of skilled personnel, which is the major cause of high unemployment and poverty and is a major constraint on business expansion and overall economic development. The GRN is firmly committed to investment in people, as evidenced by the large budget allocations to support basic education (24%) and health and social services (17%). Regionally, the GRN is actively involved in the Southern Africa DevelopmentCommunity (SADC). In October 1996, Namibia was designated as the official site of the newly created Regional Parliamentary Forum for SADC countries. The Speaker of the Namibia House was chosen as the acting President of the Forum.
The Namibian economy weakened slightly in 1996 as a result of two consecutive years of drought and a reduction in revenues from the fishing industry. The fishing sector is the second largest contributor to export earnings and GDP. There was an increase in outstanding public debt. External public debt accounted for 19% of the total public debt outstanding and grew by 5%. The GRN continued to adhere to its policy of borrowing from the domestic market to finance the budget deficit and to raise multilateral and bilateral concessional loans from abroad to accelerate growth in Namibia. Germany is a major concessional loan provider, especially loans for improving the infrastructure. The outstanding debt of $300 million with the Republic of South Africa (RSA) was nullified in an agreement between the two country presidents. Trade resumed with Angola and offset the slowing economy to a limited extent.
The GRN is intensifying its efforts to promote the country's Free Trade Zone. The factors which attracted General Motors to Namibia included the country's political stability, a favorable investment climate, good infrastructure and a government contract to supply 800 vehicles. Other new foreign investment prospects considered as positive include on-going natural gas field exploration in Namibia's Exclusive Zone off the south coast which involves a major U.S. oil company. The results of the feasibility of a planned hydroelectric power station (Epupa) in the north and the development of the largest copper mine located in the south of Namibia are expected. Also, Namibia plans to construct a 250 km water carrier to provide and guarantee sufficient water for the capital and central parts of the country.
USAID is providing resources to improve basic education and adult non-formal education systems and to improve management and technical training. Also, resources will be provided to protect Namibia's fragile natural resource base, particularly in the environmentally threatened communal land areas, and strengthen the legislative branch of government to ensure a free and open democracy. In addressing the inequality issue, USAID Namibia is focusing on increasing the social, economic and political opportunities of the majority population through interventions in four areas: adult training and human resources development; primary education; environment and natural resources management; and democratic institution building. Since FY 1991, most of USAID's resources have been invested in education. Recently, the USAID focus expanded into a comprehensive human resources development strategy which provides funds for degree level training at U.S. universities and short-term management and technology training. In May 1996, Washington approved USAID Namibia's new Country Strategic Plan (CSP) (1996-2000) based on four strategic objectives with the major focus on education and human resources development. The approved strategic plan is based on a graduation date of 2005, by which time, given current development efforts and resource commitments, Namibia should have a critical mass of well trained personnel sufficient to meet the economy's needs and support its democratic political system.
USAID is having an impact at the national, regional and community levels. At the national level, USAID is supporting GRN education reform and is the major donor at the lower primary level (grades one to four). Through technical assistance and financing, USAID supports the Ministry of Basic Education's (MBEC) efforts to overhaul curricula, syllabi, teaching and learners materials, and approaches to testing and evaluation. This activity is upgrading the skills of the most disadvantaged teachers who have less than grade eight education and predominantly work in the poorest rural primary schools in Namibia. After training, they will have the capacity to understand and implement the new curricula and be more valuable to the school system. The latter element is being implemented through one of the largest USAID - Peace Corps agreements in Africa. By 1998, curricula for grades one and two will be translated into at least five local languages. The curriculum will also be distributed and in use in 1,023 schools where it is expected to reach 60,000 students nationwide. Once the materials are in place, the upgraded teachers will be motivated around a learner-centered teaching approach expected toreduce the current high 40% repetition rates found in grades 1-4. The curricula is designed to motivate drop-outs to continue studies beyond grade 4, as well as lay the foundation for learners who will enter the 21st century workforce with employable skills. Most of the participants who have received M.A. and M.S degree training at U.S. institutions have returned to Namibia and assumed greater responsibility at their respective ministries. For example, of the five MBEC staff sent to the U.S. for M.A. and M.S degrees, three now occupy higher positions as head of research, deputy director and head of all adult education training. Of the local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) undergoing institutional strengthening, two have applied for USAID grants to establish a joint indigenous training facility which would eventually replace USAID supported training. USAID's $3 million democracy program has contributed to a noticeable improvement in the relationship between Members of Parliament (MPs) and their constituents. MPs are becoming more comfortable and less threatened with questions and inquiries from the general public, media and community-based organizations. By 1998, this intervention will form the basis for electoral support for regional and national elections by having established channels and conduits for contacts with communities and groups beyond Windhoek.
At the regional level, USAID is supporting the exchange of information on natural resources management and environment through sponsored trips and orientation visits to neighboring countries. USAID is also coordinating and facilitating regional activities being implemented by the Regional Center for Southern Africa (RCSA) in areas which correspond to bilateral strategic objectives,i.e., the Southern Africa Democracy Fund, the Southern Africa Enterprise Development Fund, and natural resources management and environment.
At the community level, USAID is supporting environmental focus on activities linked to income generation. Activities involving working with local women's groups on better utilization of natural resources have resulted in accelerated grass thatching operations that generate income in lieu of the former destructive "slash and burn" agricultural practices. In 1996 alone, combined incomes derived from USAID supported small scale natural resources enterprises --sale of thatching grass, tourism, campsites-- totalled $50,000 and benefitted approximately 1,558 households.
USAID co-funded the first-ever International Wilderness Symposium which was held in Namibia in May of 1996. It was attended by environmentalists and technical experts from all over the globe. Expected outcomes are the development of a GRN policy and legislation to set aside identified wet lands and wilderness areas as protected zones. USAID supported the establishment of a Natural Resource Accounting system in Namibia to inform policy makers of the value of natural resources. In collaboration with Ministry of Environment and Tourism (MET), USAID is helping to investigate how to establish an Environmental Investment Fund for sustainable natural resources management.
At the policy and planning level, USAID's long dialogue with MET bore fruit in March 1996, with passage of the new conservancy legislation which allows communities living on communal lands to receive direct benefits from natural resources management. USAID is also supporting the development of a policy framework for the newly created Ministry of Higher Education, Vocational Training, Science and Technology, which, when completed, will be the blueprint for future higher education and vocational training/skills development in Namibia. USAID will continue to support the National Planning Commission (NPC) in its efforts to improve donor coordination and aid-management capacity. USAID is also providing technical assistance to NPC to establish and implement a national monitoring and evaluation system to track results. As a major participant in the continuing Round Table consultative process, USAID has been appointed to work on three of the seven designated technical preparatory committees tasked with developing policies for donor Consultative Group meetings.
Other Donors
In FY 1996, USAID provided $8.9 million in total assistance (including regional and special disaster relief funds). USAID was the sixth major bilateral donors, following Germany, Sweden, Norway, China and France. USAID provided 10% of total donor contributions. All European Union (EU) statescombined contributed 62%. The EU (as a separate entity) contributed 6%. Bilateral donors account for 80% of all external aid, followed by multi-lateral organizations (18%) with the remaining being provided by non-governmental organizations. The number of donor meetings under the sponsorship of the United Nation's Development Program (UNDP) increased due to follow-on Round Table consultative actions and requested GRN/UNDP inputs into the next multi-year Country Cooperation Framework (1997-2000).
FY 1998 Program.
USAID is requesting $8 million in support of its goal: to strengthen Namibia's new democracy through the social, economic and political empowerment of its majority population, through institution and capacity building, training and education, primarily through U.S. based NGOs and contractors. The emphasis of the FY 1998 program will be acceleration of human resource development, basic education, short- and medium-term training and skills development, voter education, and advocacy skills. By end of 1998, the first cadre of Namibians, including the first women undergraduates, will have completed U.S. degree training, returned to Namibia and assumed enhanced roles in key institutions. Short- and medium-term management training will have significantly enhanced the skills of various public- and private-sector Namibian managers. These individuals will spark innovations and improve efficiency in the public and private sectors.
FY 1998 will mark the last full year of USAID assistance to NGOs in strengthening their institution capacity. USAID expects to leave in place sustainable local NGOs and umbrella organizations capable of providing in-country training and institution building. As a result of USAID assistance, the foundation will be established for the replication of locally managed wildlife conservancies.
USAID will use the $1.2 million requested for democracy and governance (S.O. No. 4) in FY 1998 to begin implementation of the electoral support activity. This new activity will build on parliamentary structures established under the first phase democracy intervention.
Agency Goal: Encouraging Broad-based Economic Growth
Of the $6.8 million requested for Broad-based Economic Growth, $2.8 million will be allocated to basic education and the remaining $4 million will be allocated to human resources development, including long-term training in the U.S., in-country adult non-formal skills development, short and medium term management training and skills development for public and private-sector mid-level managers. This area is the highest priority for both the GRN and USAID. To achieve broad-based economic and sustainable development, the Government of Namibia and its development assistance partners must be willing and able to provide the level of resources required for training and technical assistance until such time as there is a critical mass of educated, trained and skilled Namibians.
The funding for basic education, will be used to continue support to the GRN education reform program. Curricula for grades one through four will be introduced in most of the disadvantaged schools located in rural areas of the north, and the skills of approximately 25% of the of the less qualified teachers will be upgraded through on-site training assistance to enable correct usage of the new curricula and materials. The Ministry of Basic Education and Culture Planning Directorate will establish a nationwide monitoring and evaluation system for tracking results at the primary level. One million dollars of this funding will support continuation of the M.A. and M.S degree program in the U.S. Lessons learned from the two-year pilot management training program will be incorporated into the new bilateral human resources development results package, which will include a first tranche of $3 million in FY 1998 funding. This activity will accelerate support for short and medium-term training for mid-level managers in the private sector, NGO community, and public sector.
* Strategic Objective No. 1:
Enhanced Roles for Historically Disadvantaged Namibians (HDNs) in key Public, NGO and Private Sector Organizations* Strategic Objective No. 2:
Improved Delivery of Quality Primary Education to Grade 1-4 Learners in the Most Disadvantaged SchoolsAgency Goal: Building Democracy
The $1.2 million requested for Building Democracy will be used to fund the new electoral support activity's assistance to the regional and national electoral process in 1998 and 1999. Linkages between legislators and citizens are weak, but progress is being made, as evidenced by an increase in public advocacy by groups for remedial legislation and protests against domestic violence against women. Due primarily to the lack of trained personnel and undeveloped systems and procedures, many of Namibia's new political institutions still lack the capacity to operate effectively. While Parliament's National Assembly was created at Namibia's independence, the National Council was established several years later.
When the $3 million parliamentary strengthening activity began, no committees had been established, and the legislative process did not provide for opportunities for direct citizen input. Support through this USAID activity, now in its second year, is developing the institutional capacity and legislative processes to respond effectively to the needs and concerns of citizens and to provide oversight of the executive branch. For example, as a result of training and technical assistance, a committee system is operational in the National Assembly, and hearings have been conducted by both houses on two issues of national concern: the Married Person's Equality (MPE) bill and the EU/RSA Free Trade Agreement (FTA). The establishment of public hearings on FTA provided the basis for mobilizing the business community in petitioning RSA to ensure that negotiations for an EU/RSA Free Trade Agreement will include consultations with neighboring SACU and SADC member states whose trade and investment will be directly affected by the agreement. The public hearings for the MPE were conducted throughout the country and provided healthy debate on a sensitive issue affecting women.
The new $3 million electoral support activity will build upon USAID's first bilateral democracy activity to strengthen the Namibian Parliament's accountability to the people. It will support the GRN initiative to establish a system of permanent voter registration and to implement other relevant election reforms. Also, the activity will support public debates and fora for the regional elections to take place in 1998 and set the stage for the national elections to take place the following year.
* Strategic Objective No. 4:
Increased Accountability of Parliament to All Namibian CitizensAgency Goal: Protecting the Environment
None of the FY 1998 requested bilateral funding will be allocated for natural resources and environment. Currently, USAID is assisting the GRN to develop strategies to maximize the renewable aspects of its natural resources and is assisting communities to capture benefits of wildlife and natural resources. The major focus is the Community-based Natural Resources Management (CBNRM) approach to involving local communities which derive income from management of local natural resources. Now that the conservancy legislation has passed, USAID expects to accelerate activities within the CBNRM component as well as other forms of income generating activities.
At the regional level, USAID will continue to fund outreach and information exchange among SADC countries. By the end of FY 1998, we expect the following achievements: (a) $900,000 in income will be generated from community-based activities, (b) 1,650 households will benefit and will share these resources; (c) a minimum of 1,000 men and 650 women will have participated in local management structures and training, (d) at least five Namibian organizations will have the capacity to provide community-based natural resources management and environmental education information, and (e) 15 activities and workshops will have supported efforts to provide legal and regulatory frameworks for organizations. Also, over one million hectares will be under management by local communities inthe USAID targeted areas. Other income generating activities, including trophy hunting, crafts production, and grass thatching, will be on the increase.
* Strategic Objective 3:
Increased Benefits to Historically Disadvantaged Namibians From Sustainable Local Management of Natural Resources
NAMIBIA
FY 1998 PROGRAM SUMMARY
Encouraging Broad-based Economic Growth
Stabilizing Population Growth & Protecting Human Health
Protecting the Environment
Building
Democracy
Providing Humanitarian Assistance
TOTALS
USAID Strategic Objectives
1. Enhanced roles for historically disadvantaged Namibians in key public sectors, NGOs and Private sector organizations - Dev. Fund for Africa
4,000,000
---
---
---
---
4,000,000
2. Improved Delivery of Quality Primary Education to Namibian learners in grade 1 - 4 in the most disadvantaged schools - Dev. Fund for Africa
2,800,000
---
---
---
---
2,800,000
4. Increased Accountability of Parliament to all Namibian Citizens -Dev. Fund for Africa
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---
---
1,200,000
---
1,200,000
Totals - Dev. Fund for Africa
6,800,000
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---
1,200,000
---
8,000,000
Note: Funding for Strategic Objective No. 3 Increased benefits to Historically Disadvantaged Namibians from Sustainable Local Management of Natural Resources comes from a regional attribution from the initiative for Southern Africa and will be justified and obligated within the regional program.
USAID Mission Director: Edward Spriggs
ACTIVITY DATA SHEET
PROGRAM: NAMIBIA
TITLE AND NUMBER: Enhanced Roles for Historically Disadvantaged Namibians (HDNs) in key public, NGO and private sector organizations, 673-S001
STATUS: Continuing
PROPOSED OBLIGATION AND FUNDING SOURCE: FY 1998: $4,000,000 DFA
INITIAL OBLIGATION: FY 1995; ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE: FY 2001
Purpose: To develop a critical mass of trained technicians and managers in both the private and public sectors.
Background: Two major constraints to Namibia's ability to attract foreign investment are the lack of historically disadvantaged Namibian entrepreneurs with mainstream business skills and the lack of well-trained Namibians in middle- and upper-level management in mainstream companies and the public sector. The planning capacity of the Government of the Republic of Namibia (GRN) to carry out many of its development objectives is constrained by a lack of technical skills and mid level managers to implement its program. In May 1994, USAID funded an assessment of human resources development to identify the gaps within both the public and private sectors and the type of intervention that could be undertaken. Using a regional activity called "Human Resources Development for Africa", USAID is undertaking a two year pilot activity that will be followed by a longer-term bilateral activity based on successful pilot activities and lessons learned.
USAID Role and Achievements to Date: The short-term management training intervention addresses a critical need for managerial training in both the public and private sectors. To date, two Namibian advisory bodies have been selected to oversee each of the major components -- public and private -- and twenty-five candidates have been identified for short-term management training courses. Most of the courses will be held in the United States and are of three months duration. Shorter courses identified for neighboring countries, and one in-country seminar is planned. The private sector will benefit from two-thirds of the $4 million funding. A cooperative agreement with a U.S. PVO was signed in December 1995 to implement the private sector component and oversee in-country, third country and U.S.-based training. To date, private sector and public sector management boards have been established, and the first of the estimated total of 160 managers have commenced training in the U.S.
Beginning in FY 1993, USAID began sending Namibians to the U.S. for M.A.-level degree training. In FY 1994, USAID initiated the special women's undergraduate degree program, in collaboration with a local institute, TUCSIN. The first of these women undergraduates began studies in 1995. To date, 21 Namibians have completed M.A.- and M.S.-degree training at U.S. universities and returned to Namibia. Another 28 are currently in training, including the first four women undergraduate students. In FY 1997, we expect to send 15 more participants to the U.S. for degree level training, and at least one-third will be women undergraduate students.
Description: The objectives of this activity will be two fold: (a) develop various modules for short-term management training programs (up to one year duration) which will, over the life of this activity, produce some 400 well-trained, highly competent managers in both the public and private sectors, many of whom will, after learning advanced business skills, elect to use this expertise to form their own companies; and (b) continue and accelerate degree-level training to develop a cadre of Namibians with skills which will enable them to work in the 21st century in critical disciplines needed in both the public and private sector.
USAID's management training activity will build on the lessons learned during the "pilot" phase to identify the types of internships and firms/organizations for placement of selected trainees. Medium- and long-term technical assistance programs will be used to plan more in-country workshops andseminars on management and allow USAID to reach more beneficiaries. Technical assistance will identify and assist local institutions (public and private) to strengthen their capacity to conduct management training programs and to design curricula and materials for that purpose. In the public sector, USAID will continue to identify ministries and parastatals in need of managerial-training assistance, although the primary focus will continue to be on the private sector. Training opportunities in the public sector will be identified in conjunction with recipient organizations and will require that each organization has a training assessment plan in operation. In the private sector, short-term management training will assist Namibian companies to meet their diversity objectives. Programming of more in-country workshops on management and strengthening of the capacity of local institutions to carry out such training will be a secondary focus of this longer-term intervention.
Host Country and Other Donors: In short-term management training, the Ford Foundation is a major donor, assisting the Namibian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry to establish an Affirmative Action Advisory Service that will help businesses make the transition to a more open approach. The UN Development Program (UNDP) is assisting the GRN to identify human resources development requirements and has entered into an agreement with National Development Corp to support small and medium enterprises. USAID has been working with the GRN National Planning Commission to develop a comprehensive human-resources plan.
United Kingdom, Germany, Sweden and Norway are among the other major donors who provide long-degree level scholarships to Namibians. However, USAID with its $1 million per annum allocation for scholarships is among the top three donors in this field.
Beneficiaries: Most current and future historically disadvantaged Namibian managers in the private sector and a substantial portion of those in the public sector. By focussing on the training of these Namibians, USAID assistance will assure that more Namibians can contribute to the economic development of their country. Women public sector employees and mid level technicians are the major beneficiaries of U.S. degree scholarships.
Principal Contractors, Grantees, or Agencies: Currently, USAID is implementing training activities through U.S. PVOs, including World Education, Inc., the African American Institute, and AFRICARE, as well as the International Institute for Education under the Global Training Development program. Other partners include the Namibian government, private sector companies and local NGOs.
Major Results Indicators: Baseline Target Number of USAID trained historically disadvantaged Namibians assuming increased responsibilities 0 (1995) 204(1997), 266 (1998) Number of target organizations with enhanced roles for USAID trained historically disadvantaged Namibians 0 (1993) 62 (1998) Intermediate Results: Number of Namibians trained in managerial and technical skills with USAID funds 0 (1993) 670 (1998) Number of public sector units and private sector organizations with HRD plans that support HDN professional development 0 (1995) 20 (1998)
ACTIVITY DATA SHEET
PROGRAM: NAMIBIA
TITLE AND NUMBER: Improved Delivery of Quality Primary Education to Grade 1-4 Learners in the Most Disadvantaged Schools, 673-S002
STATUS: Continuing
PROPOSED OBLIGATION AND FUNDING SOURCE: FY 1998: $2,800,000 DFA
INITIAL OBLIGATION: FY 1995; ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE: FY 2004
Purpose: To support the GRN's educational reform policy initiatives, including strengthening of the Ministry of Basic Education and Culture (MBEC) and the new Minister of Higher Education, Vocational Training, Science and Technology while improving learner outcomes in the most disadvantaged schools.
Background: The education system that the Government of the Republic of Namibia (GRN) inherited at independence was fragmented along racial and ethnic lines, with vast disparities in the allocation of available resources. Prior to independence in 1990, the education system had been administered by 11 different race-based education administrations. Education was designed to support the apartheid system rather than provide the necessary human resource base to promote equitable social and economic development. The majority of teachers remain unqualified, particularly at the lower primary level -- grades 1 through 4. Initial GRN reform efforts and donor attention focused on the upper grade levels (grades 8 -10) to maximize immediate impact. Over the last two years, with USAID assistance, attention has been refocused on the foundation of the education system -- the lower primary level.
USAID Role and Achievements to Date: The Basic Education Support (BES) activity provides technical assistance, training and commodity support for development of a new curricula at lower primary, grades one through four. USAID is the major donor at the primary level and is in a strong, supportive policy dialogue role with the GRN on education policy and planning. USAID has played a key role in assisting the GRN to refocus its resources and personnel on primary education and the lower primary level in particular. This will result in fundamental, long-term benefits for Namibia with respect to reduction of illiteracy and improved efficiency of the entire education system.
Description: With a proposed total funding of $12 million over four years, USAID will build upon its Phase I ongoing support to basic education reform. Whereas Basic Education Support (Phase I) operates at two levels, Phase II will: (a) support MBEC in coordinating in-service training modules for primary teachers at the national level in concert with National Institute for Educational Development (NIED), (b) support enhancement of regional education staff capacity and skills, and (c) expand to support the Ministry of Higher Education, Vocational Training, Science in Technology in the areas of planning and policy strengthening.
Phase II will continue to assist the Ministry of Basic Education and Culture (MBEC) to carry out its educational reforms at the primary level to ensure continuation of in-service training for lower primary teachers nationwide up to FY 2000. Thereafter, USAID will focus on support to regional educational offices in the northern most populated and formerly neglected areas of the country. Technical assistance will enable MBEC to strengthen existing administrative and operating procedures for greater efficiency of the education system in carrying out the new lower primary curricula reform. In addition to MBEC, Phase II will support the new Ministry of Higher Education, Vocational Training, Science and Technology (MHEVTST) to build capacity in its planning unit and to develop and implement its own monitoring and evaluation system to track results and donors support.
Whereas Phase I is providing training to staffers in support of the National Institute for Educational Development (NIED) and MBEC, Phase II will focus on regional staff and upgrading key staff within MHEVTST). By the beginning of Phase II, NIED staff selected for long term degree training
(MA/MS) will have returned and assumed primary responsibility for the development of curricula, its reproduction and distribution from the institutional contractor.
MHEVTST will benefit from skills upgrading and degree-level training by being able to plan for vocational training, research and other areas of priority. A linkage will be established between University of Namibia (UNAM) and U.S. universities in complementary areas. UNAM will begin to develop in-country capacity to undertake more short-term and course training in various disciplines by exchange of expertise funded under this activity. This activity will support development and establishment of M&E at MHEVTST and UNAM for tracking the results of donors resources and other administrative and procedural systems identified as necessary for a smooth operation and communication.
Donors: USAID is the primary donor providing assistance at the lower-primary level. Other donors supporting the GRN in areas complementary to USAID's lower-primary focus include ODA (British Overseas Development Agency), FINNIDA (Finnish Aid), NORAD (Norwegian Aid), DANIDA (Danish Aid), SIDA (Swedish Aid), the Netherlands, UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) , and the EU ( European Union).
Beneficiaries: All Namibian school children in grades 1 through 10, as well as learners at the UNAM and staff from MHEVTST and MBEC.
Principal Contractors, Grantees, or Agencies: USAID will engage the contractual services of experienced U.S. firms using current open and competitive procurement regulations,
for the implementation of this activity.
Major Results Indicators: Baseline Targets: Progress towards institutionalization Materials Production and distribution of systems and approaches to Production of Grade 1-4 instructional develop and manage instructional Unit (MPU) materials and assessment inputs and services established tools complete. Trained cadre of (1996) Namibian specialists in NIED Classrooms in target schools meeting established criteria for improved quality education inputs and services 0 (1996) 288 (1997), 448(1998) Cross Cutting Issues: Education is at the heart of broad based development. S.O.#2 with emphasis on improving the quality of lower primary basic education forms the foundation for broad-based development. It interlinks with all of the other S.O. in that learners with basic educational skills will be able to move faster through the system and take advantage of opportunities for degree level training and management skills under S.O. #1. Learners will be better informed on issues involving natural resources management and the environment under S.O.#3. With the foundation of basic education, they will more likely participate in the democratic process we are trying to support under S.O. #4.
ACTIVITY DATA SHEET
PROGRAM: NAMIBIA
TITLE AND NUMBER: Electoral Support, 673-S004
STATUS: Continuing
PROPOSED OBLIGATION AND FUNDING SOURCE: FY 1998: $1,200,000 DFA
INITIAL OBLIGATION: FY 1995; ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE: FY 1999
Purpose: To support regional and national elections in 1998 and 1999.
Background: The logical follow-on to the on-going strengthening of parliament and advocacy interventions linked to democracy building will be the strengthening of the electoral process at both the regional and national levels. To date Namibia has conducted two national elections (1989 and December 1994), and one local and one regional election in 1992. These elections, while clearly free and fair, have been contested along ideological party lines, with only lackluster debate on electoral platforms and limited scope for citizens to express their concerns. The process has also been hampered by inefficient voter registration systems and elections management. The Namibian public remains uneducated on their rights and responsibilities as citizens and therefore cannot articulate their demands to their representatives. With the support of the current USAID Democratic Institution Building (DIB) project, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are establishing the basic competency in advocacy to help channel citizen concerns into the policy and legislative processes.
USAID Role and Achievements to Date: Prior to FY 1995, a combination of ad hoc activities and funding from Africa Regional 116(e) human rights activities and the Africa Bureau provided technical assistance, training and materials in support of strengthening both the judicial and legislative branches of government as well as support for local, regional and national elections. These activities resulted in the first live broadcast debate of topical public issues by party representatives and extensive voter education campaigns in all nine language services of the Namibian Broadcasting Company. The bilateral DIB activity, begun in FY 1995, has incorporated many of the former training and institutional building activities into a coordinated approach. More specifically, it is providing $3 million in technical assistance, commodities and training to support the strengthening of Namibia's two houses of parliament. This support is developing the institutional capacity and legislative processes to respond effectively to their constituents' needs and concerns and to provide oversight of the Executive branch.
Support to NGOs and the media is enhancing their capacity to represent their constituencies' interests in policy and legislative formulation. With their newly gained skills, NGOs are soliciting public input and providing policy recommendations on pressing public issues such as land reform, community-based natural resource management and housing development.
Description: Beginning in early FY 1998, with a total LOP funding of $3 million, the electoral intervention will support the GRN's initiatives to establish a system of permanent voter registration and to implement other relevant election reforms. Training programs with parliamentary party caucuses will promote outreach with constituents and open, public debates as a basis for the development of issues-oriented election platforms. USAID would initiate its training and institution-building activities to ensure the inclusion of all citizens' concerns in the 1998 regional and follow-on national elections. Host country and other donors through its partnership in the DIB program, the Namibian Parliament has committed itself to establish fora for public participation in the legislative process and to strengthen the operation of the library, research and public outreach units of parliament. This initiative will provide a foundation for elections-related constituency outreach. The German Government provides assistance to the Namibian Institute for Democracy, an NGO that conducts training and civic education programs on the Namibian constitution and the principles of democracy. The United Kingdom supports public service reform and police training and training of parliamentarians. In the 1994 national elections, the German Government and European Union also supported GRN-run voter education campaigns. TheUnited States is among the top donors in this area and is the major donor providing direct assistance to the Parliament.
Beneficiaries: All Namibian citizens.
Principal Contractors, Grantees and Agencies: Currently, USAID is implementing its DIB program activities through U.S. private and voluntary organizations, including the National Democratic Institute and World Education International, as well as through GRN partners and local NGOs. USAID will continue this approach with the implementation of the new Electoral Support Program, which will assist in training of NGOs and local community workers in preparation for the regional election in 1998 and the national election in 1999.
Major Results Indicators: Baseline Targets: The extent to which the legislative process meets established criteria for representing the concerns of different citizen groups 1 (1995) 2.7(1997), 3.4(1998) Number of issues on which public hearings, including committee hearings, are held 0 (1995) 7(1997), 10(1998) Number of open, public debates by party candidates in national and regional election campaigns. 2 (1994) 5 (1998) Cross Cutting Issues: Public awareness of the democratic process, under S.O. #4 is linked to advocacy and support to local NGOs and communities under S.O. #1, enhance roles. Advocacy also relates to S.O.#3 natural resources management in that now communities can derive direct benefits for wildlife and natural products. Support to NGOs under S.O. #1, to deliver improved services to communities is linked to support for democratic principles owing to the issues and constraints which inhibit development of these communities. Communities participating in income generation under S.O. #3 have benefited from the legislative process through the passage of the new conservancy act which allows them to use income from natural resources. These same participating communities under S.O. #3 will need to continue to be vigil about protecting these new rights and this is linked to continued advocacy and ensuring laws protect these groups.
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