Listening
00:00
00:00
00:00
Download

Warm Up

Helpful Words and Phrases

Listen and repeat.

  1. tertiary education
    • ex. Some jobs require tertiary education, such as studying at a university or a college.
  2. subsidize
    • ex. The government helps subsidize the cost of public transport to make it cheaper for everyone.
  3. tuition
    • ex. Risa worked part-time to help pay for her university tuition.
  4. charge
    • ex. The hotel charges $100 for one night.
  5. aim
    • ex. Our project aims to help animals find new homes.

Article

Read the article below and answer your tutor's questions.

Font size

Namibia’s new president, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, announced in April that the government will offer free tertiary education at public universities and colleges starting in 2026. This announcement was made during her State of the Nation speech. Nandi-Ndaitwah, Namibia’s first female leader, said that the government would fully subsidize tertiary education from the next academic year.

In Namibia, education is free in public elementary and high schools, but parents still pay for uniforms and other costs. Now, the new policy will also remove tuition and registration fees at public universities and colleges. Two of Namibia’s seven universities are run by the government and will join this new plan. All seven government training centers will also stop charging fees.

The government made this change because many people asked for more help with education. “We have heard your cries,” said Nandi-Ndaitwah, emphasizing the importance of improving opportunities for young people who are poor and unemployed. This policy aims to help the country’s youth, as around 2.1 million Namibians are under the age of 35.

This material was based on an article by The Associated Press.

Discussion

Choose a topic and discuss the questions with your tutor.

Free Education

  • Do you think free university education is a good idea? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • Do you think it’s fair to give free education to everyone, even to people who can afford to pay? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • In your opinion, which level of education is the most important to make free (ex. elementary, high school)? Why? Discuss.

Helping the Youth

  • Why do you think many young people today need help from the government? Discuss.
  • Besides education, what other kinds of help can the government give to young people? Discuss.
  • Imagine you are the head of the department that helps the youth. What kind of program would you create to help young people in your country? Why? Discuss.