Namibia faces educational hurdles as over 28,000 pupils fail to qualify for advanced studies in 2024.(Photo by Shelleygan Petersen)
Windhoek, Namibia (EPICSTORIAN) — Over 28,700 pupils who sat for the Namibia Senior Secondary Certificate Ordinary (NSSCO) examinations last year have failed to meet the necessary qualifications for university or advanced studies.
Out of the 40,757 pupils who participated in the exam, only 12,031, or about 29.5%, were successful in securing a place in Grade 12 or university, marking a modest but notable improvement from last year’s qualification rate of 25.2%.
Addressing the results, Minister of Education, Arts, and Culture Anna Nghipondoka acknowledged the progress, highlighting a steady rise in the qualification rate over the past few years.
Since 2020, when only 18.5% of candidates passed, the qualification rate has climbed by 11 percentage points, a sign of progress in Namibia’s education system.
“While the results show a positive trajectory, we must remember that the journey is far from over. This steady increase in the number of students qualifying for advanced studies offers hope for the future of our educational system,” Nghipondoka commented.
Namibian Education System Challenges in Resource Allocation and Planning
However, the positive statistics come with their own set of challenges. Sanet Steenkamp, Executive Director of the Ministry of Education, voiced concerns over schools’ lack of planning and transparency in the management of resources, despite the ministry’s efforts to allocate more funding for essential supplies.
She criticized schools for not executing plans as expected, citing inefficiencies in procurement processes.
“We were not transparent in how we used the subsidies. If resources like textbooks or furniture aren’t delivered on time, we fail to meet the needs of our students,” Steenkamp said, urging schools to better manage their resources and operations.
Top Performers Shine Despite Setbacks
Amid the broader concerns, some bright spots in the exam results offer a glimmer of hope. Rukonga Vision School, located in the Kavango East region, continued its winning streak, securing the top three positions in the NSSCO exams.
Jolisa Garises, Tangeniomwene Ingashipua, and Trinity Oxurus topped the list, with Martha Uuyuni from Canisianum Roman Catholic High School in Omusati securing the fourth spot.
Rukonga Vision School also had the fifth-place winner, Jacob Iipinge, further cementing its status as one of the country’s top-performing institutions.
Other standout schools include Onawa Senior Secondary School and Ruacana Vocational Secondary School, both from the Omusati region.
Nghipondoka expressed satisfaction with the performance in specific subjects, particularly in commerce and social sciences. The national average for commerce subjects improved significantly from 43.6% to 53.3%. Science subjects held steady, while social sciences saw a positive shift, rising by more than five percentage points to 36.6%.
However, not all results were encouraging. Nghipondoka noted a troubling decline in the performance of Afrikaans and English as second languages, with the national average in both subjects falling from 70.2% to 58.9%.
Political Leaders Express Concern Over Education System’s Shortcomings
While the education ministry remained optimistic, political leaders were quick to express their dissatisfaction with the overall results. Joseph Kauandenge, Secretary General of the National Unity Democratic Organisation (Nudo), blasted the education system for what he described as mediocrity.
“We cannot celebrate mediocrity. Year after year, we continue to dump young people onto the streets with little opportunity for a better future,” Kauandenge remarked.
He called for a fundamental reevaluation of the education system, insisting that it is no longer in tune with the needs of students.
Similarly, Teresia Hamurenge, spokesperson for the Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF), questioned the ministry’s accountability in light of the poor results. “How can we expect students to succeed when resources are so scarce?” she asked.
Landless People’s Movement lawmaker Utaara Mootu argued that while the increase in national averages might seem promising, it masks the harsh reality that nearly 71% of students failed to qualify for further education.
“This is a smokescreen. We must face the fact that the majority of students have no clear path forward,” Mootu stated.
Systemic Issues and the Need for Reform
For many critics, the real issue lies deeper within the education system’s structural deficiencies. Mahongora Kavihuha, Secretary General of the Trade Union Congress of Namibia, emphasized the need for better-trained teachers and more resources to address overcrowded classrooms, particularly in rural areas.
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“The challenges facing our education system are systemic and require urgent intervention. We need to ensure that every student has access to the resources they need to succeed,” Kavihuha said, underscoring the importance of addressing these long-standing issues.
