Auleria Wakudumo
While facing an avalanche of challenges, including overcrowded classrooms, inadequate furniture and limited learning resources, Oshikunde Combined School in the Ohangwena region has once again proven that determination and commitment can triumph over adversity.
Against all odds, the school secured the seventh position nationally in the 2025 Namibia Senior Secondary School Certificate Ordinary Level (NSSCO) examinations.
The village school was also ranked number six last year, making its continued presence in the national top 10 a remarkable achievement under challenging conditions.
Acting principal Rakkel Shaahamange said the results were not entirely unexpected.
“We foresaw this performance because our learners were engaged and positive towards their learning. Our focus was to ensure that every learner performs well and passes with flying colours,” she said.
Shaahamange attributed the school’s success to effective planning, discipline and early completion of the syllabus.
What contributed to their performance is not that different from other schools. They ensured that the syllabus was completed on time, revised thoroughly, and focused on the basic competencies.
One of the major interventions introduced by the school was a revised timetable, allowing learners to take up to nine subjects per day, with lessons ending at 14h30.
“Teachers adapted well to the change and are eager to teach,” she said.
She further highlighted the strong commitment of educators, noting that a healthy competition exists among both teachers and learners.
Parental involvement has also played a key role in supporting learners. Some parents volunteer to cook for learners attending holiday classes, ensuring they remain focused during extra lessons.
However, the school continues to face serious challenges.
Shaahamange pointed to a shortage of furniture, overcrowded classrooms with up to 60 learners per class and insufficient accommodation.
“Some learners walk long distances to school, and others are taught standing because there are not enough chairs and tables,” she said.
The school also lacks adequate teaching and learning materials and still operates in five zinc classrooms, which serve as makeshift structures. The school is currently under construction, with hopes that the situation will improve soon.
Despite these constraints, Shaahamange said the school remains ambitious.
She added that motivation is central to the school’s culture. The school invites motivational speakers every semester and consistently encourages learners during assemblies. Teachers also take time before lessons to motivate learners.
“Sometimes you are dealing with unmotivated learners, and a little talk is all they need to keep them going,” she emphasised.
Shaahamange encouraged other schools facing similar challenges to remain positive and make the most of available resources. She said, “As long as you have motivated learners, commitment and positivity, it is possible to succeed even with limited materials.”
Meanwhile, Oshikoto regional director of education Hilma Nuunyango-George acknowledged that her region did not meet expectations after dropping from first to second position in the NSSCO results and from fourth to seventh position at AS level.
“Although we did not perform as expected, we are going to sit around the table and do a thorough analysis of where we went wrong. We will engage all inspectors to step out of the office and intensify monitoring at schools,” she said.
She stressed that the directorate would continue to recognise schools and teachers who performed well, while also identifying solutions for those who underperformed.
The director also called on parents to play an active role in supporting learners and teachers.
– awakudumo@nepc.com.na
