Kavango West calls for action to reduce increasing school dropout, teenage pregnancy rates

Kavango West director of education, Pontianus Musore is calling for urgent, coordinated action across schools, families, communities and health services, after a sharp 2025 surge in the region when 1 460 learners dropped out and 332 girls became pregnant.

The latest figures show that dropout numbers surged from 809 in 2024 to 1 460 in 2025, while teenage pregnancies rose from 273 in 2024 to 332 in 2025.

Circuits with the highest total dropouts include Ncuncuni with 283, Bunya 264, and Nzinze with 257.

Teenage pregnancies were most prevalent in Ncuncuni at 94, Bunya 54, and Kandjimi 54.

Overall, boys accounted for 785 dropouts compared to 675 among girls.

In an interview with Nampa on Monday, Musore said the trend is a warning and requires practical responses at schools and community levels.
“We are dealing with real pressures at home and in classrooms. Poverty, weak parental involvement, and gaps in reproductive health knowledge are pushing learners out of school,” Musore said. “We need every school, parent and clinic to work together so that learners stay in class and complete their education.”

Musore said economic hardship continues to drive absenteeism, as children seek work or support household duties.

“Delays in school feeding programmes lower attendance and increase the likelihood of dropping out. At home, limited supervision, emotional stress, and expectations for childcare or farm work also contribute to disengagement.”

For girls, teenage pregnancy remains a key factor of dropping out of school, compounded by limited access to reproductive health information and cultural taboos about discussing sexuality.

Musore urged schools to intensify practical, age-appropriate life skills and sex education.

“Learners need clear, respectful information on puberty, reproductive health, contraception, HIV and STIs, healthy relationships, and goal setting,” he stressed.

The regional directorate is encouraging the use of peer educators and trained teachers to guide sessions and support at-risk learners.

Musore outlined a school-based response focused on regular sessions, health information drives, and mentorship. It also highlights stronger parental involvement, safer community environments, and reliable links to local health services for counselling and contraception.

“We cannot solve this in schools alone,” Musore said.

“Preventing learner pregnancy and dropouts demand united action. Our priority is to protect learners’ well-being and keep them on track to finish school.”

-Nampa

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