SWAKOPMUND – Erongo’s poor performance during the 2025 academic year came under fire this week after the region recorded an overall 33.7% pass rate. 

This is below the national average. 

The region is ranked amongst the bottom five out of 14 regions. 

Erongo Region Governor Natalia /Goagoses raised alarm over the poor performances during an internal induction workshop for regional councillors, calling on education stakeholders to take collective responsibility following the release of the 2025 academic results. 

/Goagoses said the results reflected shortcomings across the education system and could not be attributed to one group. 

She said the region cannot continue to accept poor performance in education. 

According to the governor, education is a shared responsibility involving leaders, parents, communities, churches and schools. 

“Children should attend school to receive quality education in a safe learning environment, while parents and guardians must ensure learners are prepared to learn,” she appealed. 

Furthermore, her office is also aware of social ills such as the possession of illegal substances or dangerous objects and being under the influence of alcohol and vaping that are rife at schools. 

To address this, the regional leadership is currently in the process of establishing a centre on an 11 000-square-metre piece of land previously used as a Roman Catholic School. 

The aim is to remove children struggling with behavioural problems and substance abuse from mainstream education so that they can access the proper care they need. 

The centre will also focus on rehabilitation, technical and vocational training and agricultural production. 

“I urge leaders and administrators to support the initiative to ensure it is implemented so that learners receive the support they need,” she said. 

Teachers 

Meanwhile, the Namibia National Teachers’ Union (Nantu) Erongo branch said teacher performance should not be viewed in isolation. According to the Erongo chairperson Given //Gowaseb, the debate following the release of the 2025 academic results has focused on blame rather than consultation and problem-solving. 

//Gowaseb said research conducted during the 2023–2024 academic year showed that the Erongo has overcrowded schools due to a shortage of teachers. He added that recommendations made to the ministry on staffing have not been implemented. 

“Other challenges include inadequate infrastructure, shortages of heads of departments and limited access to continuous professional development. This was all brought under the attention of the ministry,” he said. 

It is further his view that improved performance would depend on addressing overcrowding, filling management vacancies, investing in teacher development and supporting teachers. 

“The union remains open to engagement with education authorities and urged members to report any form of intimidation,” he appealed. 

-edeklerk@nepc.com.na