By Clemence Tashaya
EENHANA – Simeon Hango , now in Grade 11 from Ongha Secondary school was awarded certificates and bags for scoring A-symbols in Accounting and Entrepreneurship.
The Directorate of Education in the Ohangwena region has awarded several schools, learners and teachers for their academic excellence in the 2013 final year examinations. The award ceremony took place two weeks ago at the Ponhofi Senior Secondary School and was based on the regional assessment diagnostic test which was carried out last year. Learners were urged at the awards ceremony to put more fire into their studies. Among the top 20 learners in Grade 12 in the Oshikwanyama Language were Samuel Shaleimo, Steven Shileka, Sheelagh Ndahepele, Rosalia Haikali and Sam Haulinene and Leslie Kaxwadi, Silas Ngweda and Dortea Helao. Magdalena Ndume from Haimbili Haufiku Senior Secondary school won the prestigious learner of the year award for her outstanding Grade 12 performance in the English language, while Samuel Shailemo and Moses Hailume all from Haimbili Haufiku walked away with the best Mathematics award in Grade 12.
The top Physical Science learner for the region in Grade 12 was Tangi Petrus who is ranked 12 nationally while others were Leena Haipinge and Helena Nafuka. For Mathematics, Samuel Shailemo tops in the region while he ranks number three nationally while Moses Hailume scooped the second prize. All are from Haimbili Haufiku Senior Secondary School. Besides producing most of the learners who scooped awards, Haimbili Senior Secondary School also won for being the best overall school in the Ohangwena region, while the principal of Eenhana Primary School, Olivia Nakale, walked away with the Principal of the Year award with a certificate, N$ 3000 money prize plus a floating trophy.
The best performing schools in the region in order of ranking have been identified as Haimbili Haufiku Senior Secondary School, Mwadikange Senior Secondary School, Ongha Secondary School, Ponhofi, St Mary’s Odibo, Eengedjo, Eenhana Secondary School, Oshela, Ondobe, Omungwelume, Oshikunde and Shituwa Senior Secondary school. Haimbili Haufiku Senior Secondary school won most of the floating trophies as it school came out tops in the region while the best teacher for English language was Posani Silume from Haimbili Haufiku Senior Secondary school.
Addressing the award ceremony that was packed to full capacity, the former Chief Executive Officer of the MVA Fund, Jerry Muadinohamba, urged both teachers and learners to redouble their effort and face their challenges with determination. “Namibia is full of talents so I will advise you as learners not to involve yourself with drugs. Do not take chances in life since there is something you can do to change your life. I am told that Ponhofi itself has more than 400 learners who are in Grade 12 but out of this number not all will make in Grade 12 but they should not despair. We can’t be the same and should also note that every one of us is equally important. No one is important than the other,” he said
He urged teacher and learners to compete but also to win together. “It’s like a race where all want to finish out first but it’s about how we finish the race. Do not force what you are not talented in. To principals, teachers and learners including parents, we should work in harmony to achieve our goals in life,” he urged
Muadinohamba pledged to the gathering that since he sits on Namport board, the organisation is targeting two students in Grade 11 and 12 from the region that are prepared to study Marine and Coastal Sciences in South Africa. Namport will cater for the bursary. “So far, we have four Namibians in South Africa on a scholarship from Namport, so we encourage learners from this region to also apply for these studies. As I was born in this region, Odibo, I would need to see learners from the region to excel as well,” he said
According to him those who achieve are those who are mindful that they have a mission to complete regardless of the challenges that they may encounter. He reminded learners that the future is in their hands. “Remember that you are living in dynamic world and you ought to work hard in schools, take your studies seriously and forget about the shining things of today because tomorrow they will be old fashion,” he said.
This year’s award ceremony was sponsored by Cambridge International Examinations, Dr Naftali Hamata, Dr Zechariahs Mushaandja, Lucrest, Meekulu Saima Nghixulifwa, Namsov Community Trust, NIED, Old Mutual, Oshongo Fishing Company (Pty) Ltd, Standard Bank and Zebra Publishers.