UNESCO Representative to Namibia Jean Pierre Ilboudo on Friday called for robust investment towards the education sector in Namibia.

Ilboudo called on the Namibian government to foster investment towards the implementation of the sustainable development goals (SDGs), especially through goal 4, which calls for inclusive quality education and promotion of lifelong learning.

Ilboudo made the remarks during a meeting reflecting on the 2016 Global Education Monitoring report and consultation on UNESCO Education Programme and Budget held in Windhoek.

According to Ilboudo, the report argues that chronic under-funding for education is holding back progress towards the realization of the sustainable development goals; hence, more domestic resources are needed to achieve the sustainable development goals.

"In addition, aid to education is declining and not effectively targeting those in need, as allocations of funds and resources from partners are based on trade relations," he said.

This, according to Iloudo, calls for a radical financial break, especially in low and middle income countries including Namibia with an upper middle income status, to mobilize domestic resources, to build on education across the board, to tackle challenges urgently and holistically.

"We therefore need renewed focus and resources for education to prevent us from being half a century late in achieving the global education commitments," he urged.

To enhance livelihoods of its citizens and as part of its commitment towards the implementation of the SDGs, Namibia has ratified relevant international conventions and is a signatory to the Sustainable Development Goals.

(Xinhua News Agency February 24, 2017)