Julia Kamarenga

With countrywide outcries regarding the poor performance by learners, this year’s annual back to school service hosted by the ELCRN Ephesians Parish in Gobabis attracted a large number of people seeking audience with God.

Speaking at the service, acting regional director of education in Omaheke, Constance Wantenaar reminded the congregation that education is a shared responsibility that needs all stakeholders to be involved if it is to be successful. 

She further said the three most important role players in education being the child, teacher and parent have a responsibility towards the success of education. She, therefore, urged that each analyse their responsibility to avoid blaming the other for poor performance.

While it is a known fact that some parents are illiterate and possibly not in the position to assist children with homeworks, Wantenaar said it is for them to practice their parental involvement by ensuring that children who struggle attend afterschool classes to boost their grades.

Wantenaar also reminded parents that knowing their children’s whereabouts, setting limits on where to go and how long to stay there, as well as ensuring that the children have enough time to study are other means parents can be involved.

In the end, while calling on teachers to be prepared for lessons in order to impart knowledge, ignite imagination, inspire hope among the learners, and build a bridge of success, the deputy director urged learners to obey rules, shun wayward ways and focus on academic excellence.

On his part, former education director and now chief regional officer of Omaheke, Pecka Semba called on the parents to retake the power of raising their children, narrating that the right to make children comes with responsibilities over them. 

He called on parents to purposely maintain exemplary behaviour that children should emulate.

Further, Semba reminded the congregants that life is a project with stages and priorities, therefore, learners should not jump stages and get involved in activities that would cut short their future but rather concentrate on school in order to be successful. “Today we held this service because we realised the importance of Godliness in one’s life and decided to start off the year with prayer,” said Elmarie Maritshane. “As parents, we are much more concerned with our kids, their behaviour and performances are worrisome. Our children are on the streets, seemingly without direction and we deem it fit to start supporting and motivating them to be successful in life,” she echoed. 

Omaheke region’s grade 11 pass rate improvement from 11.4% in the 2021 results to 18% in 2022.