By Regina Simasiku
WINDHOEK – The somewhat encouraging Grade 12 results, which were released on Wednesday, indicate that more than 11 000 learners did not make it to university and are now looking for a way forward to further their studies. Some of the learners spoke to New Era yesterday and indicated that they are looking forward to either enrolling at vocational training centres (VTCs) or improving their grades at other institutions.
“I received 22 points and it hurts me very much. I am planning to upgrade my subjects where I have lower grades,’’ said Saima Abraham, who was attending Elias Neromba Senior Secondary School in Rundu. Abraham explained that even though she intends to improve her results, she will also look for a part-time job to sustain herself.
Johannes Ndala, who was schooling at Concordia Secondary School in Windhoek, also said that while he failed, his life will not end there and he will be going to a VTC. “I am also going to upgrade my points while I will be at VTC,’’ said Ndala.
“I received 22 points and I am sad because it is not what I was aiming for. I just fell short of three points to meet university admission requirements. Nevertheless, I still have hope because I still have plans,’’ said Amanda Katanga, who was also schooling at Elias Neromba Senior Secondary School in Rundu.
Katanga remarked that since she received 22 points and a D symbol in English, she qualified for a diploma in education and her second option is to go to the Rundu Vocational Training Centre (RVTC).
Katanga encouraged every learner that did not make it, like her, to stay positive and push hard until they get where they want to be.
Furthermore, Naomi dos Santos, who was schooling at Cosmos High School in Windhoek, also said she gave it her best and elaborated that this will not be the last time for her. She added that she is eager to upgrade her points because she wants to go to university, “but for now, I will try to go to a VTC,’’ she noted.
“Please let us do away with the perception that students who follow vocational and technical routes are not useful compared to their counterparts who enter university,’’ lamented Education Minister, Dr David Namwandi. He also urged learners who did not qualify for admission to university to pursue trade skills at vocational training centres.