A total of 650 pupils in the Kavango West region dropped out of school during the first semester of this academic year.
This comprises 342 boys and 308 girls.
The statistics were revealed during a ‘Boy Child Engagement Session’ at Nkurenkuru on Friday.
Kavango West education director Pontianus Musore said economic hardships are among the factors driving children away from education, with some parents prioritising household responsibilities over school attendance.
“Boys are dropping out more than girls. Some boys are leaving school to engage in temporary work, including cattle herding and selling fish to support their families,” he said.
He noted that child-headed households, poor parental involvement and limited supervision contribute to pupils’ academic disengagement.
He said some pupils live without adequate care or support, becoming the caretakers of their younger siblings which prevents them from attending school on a regular basis.
Musore highlighted that the issue is even more challenging in rural areas where hostel facilities are limited and pupils are forced to walk long distances to schools.
“Walking a long distance results in fatigue, late arrival and absenteeism, eventually leading to dropping out.”
Other factors include lack of discipline, alcohol and substance abuse, as well as abuse and neglect at home, which affect pupils’ emotional well-being and participation in school, he added.
This is despite the region being one of the best performing at the Namibian Senior Secondary Certificate Advanced Subsidiary Level, having been number one since 2023.
The region also came third at ordinary level during the 2025 academic year.
To address the issue, Musore said the directorate is strengthening school-based motivation, counselling and psychological support for pupils.
He said the directorate also plans to expand its mentorship and boy-child empowerment programmes to more communities and schools.
He added that the directorate will strengthen timely delivery of the school feeding programme to retain pupils in schools, saying that when there is food in school, attendance increases.
Musore reaffirmed the directorate’s commitment to strengthening early-warning systems to identify boys at risk.
There are 188 schools in Kavango West.
