Literacy is estimated at about 40%. Since independence, the government has poured resources into an expansion of the education system, and at present about 89% of children (aged 6–16) attend school. There are small primary schools in the most rural of areas and large secondary schools in the regional centres. To help with this expansion, many foreign teachers came to Namibia with the help of NGOs and overseas aid agencies.

Children in secondary school study for the IGCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education) and then move on to the HIGCSE. Lessons are taught almost exclusively in English, although some indigenous languages may also be taught.