The National Council (NC) has approved the budget allocation of N$750 million to sports, youth and national service.

Members, however, expressed dissatisfaction with the reduction in the budget considering the need for youth empowerment.

MPs urged the Ministry of Education to consider the construction and upgrading of multipurpose youth centres across all 14 regions.

"Under the youth infrastructure development programme, the minister will consider the construction and the renovation of multi-purpose youth centres and resource centres across the regions. All those interventions require budgetary provision. Therefore, I am of the opinion that the budget of the minister of Youth and National Service be increased in the next budget."

"Benchmarking against the Red Fountain Youth Center, other youth centres in the region are not operating at the same standard. Upgrade all youth centres to measure the level of Red Fountain Youth Centre and other centres in Namibia. Ensure equal access to quality training and development opportunities."

"If you are saying that the youth are the future of today and tomorrow, you must seriously consider empowering the young people, not only by rhetoric but also by actions."

Swapo Party MP Bethuel Tjaveondja suggested that the ministry also consider focusing on arts and culture to boost social development among youth.

"Our focus is more on academic performance. What happened to the extraordinary creative potential that existed within our communities? Here I am referring to arts, culture, craftsmanship, music, dancing, theatres and creative disciplines."