Omaheke region, a perennial poor performer in both the Namibia Senior Secondary Certificate Ordinary (NSSC) and Advanced Subsidiary (AS) national exams, has convened a two-day summit to identify, unpack and assess some of the challenges the region’s education sector faces. 

The summit kicked off yesterday in Gobabis, and is anticipated to end today.

It is attended by senior officials and experts from the region and country’s education sector, community members and various key stakeholders.

Omaheke Regional Council chairperson Ignatius Kariseb said the gathering, formally known as the 2025 Omaheke Education Summit, will use the two days to assess the status of education in the region, as well as compare and analyse performance indicators and institutional challenges.

“We also want to identify best-practices from high-performing schools that can be replicated here in Omaheke to improve learning outcomes. We equally want to address key resource gaps – both human and infrastructural – to improve educational service delivery,” said Kariseb, who is also the councillor for the Kalahari constituency. The summit seeks to strengthen collaboration among schools, vocational institutions, universities and communities to create a more integrated education system.

It seeks to foster partnerships with local businesses, traditional authorities and international organisations to enhance education funding, and support will be another crucial focus area of the summit, he added.

Various stakeholders in the education sector will engage in interactive sessions and group discussions during the gathering to develop a strategic roadmap for education in Omaheke, and ensure alignment with national and global education priorities.

“The summit is expected to provide clear resolutions aligning with national and global priorities, as well as action points and commitments from stakeholders to enhance effective education delivery. It would further strengthen collaborations and resource mobilisation efforts and provide recommendations to improve student performance and school management,” he added. Last year, the region established a regional education fund. So far, over N$300 000 has been allocated towards it to aid students from the region who are admitted to tertiary institutions with registration fees and related costs. Omaheke’s education fund was established through a motion tabled by councillor Augustinus Tebele in February 2023. 

The regional council has been actively soliciting funding through donations, fundraising activities and the Governor’s Social Fund. 

-ohembapu@nepc.com.na