Oshikoto schools rated first nationally amid challenges – education director

The Oshikoto region’s director of education, arts and culture, Aletta Eises, has said the region was rated first nationally in Grade 11 last year, despite facing significant infrastructural challenges.

Speaking at a regional performance enhancement awards ceremony at Uukule Secondary School on Friday, Eises acknowledged the region’s struggles, including a lack of infrastructure, ablution facilities, water and electricity in many rural schools, as well as shortages of desks and chairs.

“This is a rural region. Most of our schools are far, situated in villages, and experience a lot of challenges,” she said, while praising the dedication of teachers and pupils.

Eises also pointed out two government schools in the Oshikoto region that made it into the top 10 of best-performing schools in the country. Reverend Juuso Shikongo Secondary School was rated number four and Ekulo Secondary School came in at number eight.

Eises urged staff to maximise their service delivery with the available resources and to strive for even better results in 2025, aiming for a pass rate of 50 percent or higher in all subjects.

“Re-commit, rededicate, re-manage, re-discipline for better knowledge dissemination and better outcomes,” she said.

The Oshikoto region was ranked number one in the 2024 academic year’s Grade 11 results (Ordinary Level), while it was ranked fourth in 2023. For Grade 12 results in 2024, it ended in fourth place.

A total of 44 teachers and 100 pupils were awarded medals and trophies during the event on Friday.

The region currently has 84 052 pupils in 229 schools.

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