Banner Left
Banner Right

//Kharas education crisis: Governor calls for immediate action

Aletha Frederick

//Kharas governor Aletha Frederick says the drop in performance of senior pupils in the region requires the lack of resources, inadequate infrastructure, and a lack of teaching materials to be addressed.

The region dropped to 11th position in the Namibia Senior Secondary Certificate Ordinary (NSSCO) level, while in the Advance Subsidiary (NSSCAS) level, it dropped two places to 14th position.

The governor spoke at the opening of the 2025 academic year at Keetmanshoop last Tuesday.

“For the region to regain its education standing in the country, we need to address the lack of resources, inadequate infrastructure, lack of teaching materials and gaps in communication.

“We unfortunately cannot overlook this significant drop in the region’s academic performance. We must confront this reality head-on and engage in proper assessment and introspection to understand what went wrong,” Frederick said.
‘STRONG LEADERSHIP’

She reminded teachers that they need to focus on robust administration that addresses both the challenges in school management and those in the classroom.

“Strong leadership within schools fosters a culture of collaboration and innovation. Administrators must engage with teachers to identify specific challenges they face in their classrooms. This two-way communication ensures that solutions are tailored to meet the unique needs of each school community,” the governor said.

//Kharas education director Jesmine Magerman urged teachers to remember that being an educator is about delivering quality education outcomes, rather than just receiving a pay cheque at the end of the month.

“What we are doing should be of quality and should be testimony to who we are and what we stand for. We must remember the importance of our work. We must always remember that our work has an impact on education deliverance at schools and hostels in the region.”

Magerman said the matter will be discussed to obtain solutions at the annual principals’ gathering at Lüderitz at the end of this month.

In the 2023 academic year, the //­Kharas region was ranked among the top-three best-performing regions in the country.

Faith Mugunda (19) a former pupil, says many of her friends struggled with AS level and the two-year course for grades 10 and 11.

‘NOTHING MAKES SENSE’

“None of these things make sense and we cannot continue like that as we just go to the streets. The government needs to understand our future is being harmed by this education system,” she says.

Executive director of education, arts and culture Sanet Steenkamp remains optimistic that pupils are able to progress to the first exit grade in the senior secondary phase through the revised NSSCO.

Over the past three years, approximately 45% of pupils did not progress to the senior secondary phase, she says.

“Pupils left the school system upon failing the Junior Secondary Certificate examination on the old curriculum, but today more than 80% of pupils progress to NSSCO.

“From 2017 to 2019 with the old NSSCO, only 20 000 to 21 000 progressed to the first exit grade (Grade 10), while with the revised NSSCO from 2020 to 2023, the amounts have doubled to 40 000 until 40 582,” Steenkamp says.

Stay informed with The Namibian – your source for credible journalism. Get in-depth reporting and opinions for only N$85 a month. Invest in journalism, invest in democracy –
Subscribe Now!

Latest News