NKURENKURU – The education directorate in Kavango West has registered 54 127 learners for the 2026 academic year, an increase of 2 123 compared to the 52 004 recorded in 2025, education director, Pontianus Musore has revealed.
Speaking to Nampa on Thursday, Musore noted that the growth in enrolment is most pronounced at secondary school level.
“The biggest increase is at secondary level, which increased by 960 to 13 325 compared to 12 365 in 2025,” Musore said.
While the figures signal sustained demand for public schooling in the region, Musore cautioned that infrastructure constraints remain a pressing concern, particularly at schools accommodating learners from remote villages. “The biggest challenge is infrastructure,” he said. “In particular, we have a lack of hostels and classrooms.”
He explained that hostel shortages continue to affect learners who travel long distances to attend school, while limited classroom space places additional strain on institutions already operating at or near capacity.
Musore said the directorate is engaging relevant authorities regarding the need for additional classrooms and hostel facilities.
He, however, confirmed that all learners who applied through the regional placement system have been accommodated for the 2026 academic year.
“We have placed all those who applied with us,” he said, adding that the placement process was finalised in mid-February 2026 following the processing of applications and allocation of available spaces.
The directorate will continue to monitor enrolment trends and pressure points throughout the year, particularly at secondary schools where the largest increase was recorded.
Musore stressed that expanding infrastructure remains critical to stabilising class sizes and ensuring safe accommodation for learners who require hostel facilities.
Kavango West has in recent years experienced rising demand for school placements as more learners progress through the system and communities expand, placing additional pressure on existing facilities, he said.