Steenkamp raises concern over school dropouts

Education minister Sanet Steenkamp has raised alarm over rising school dropout levels, describing the situation as “deeply worrying” and calling for urgent, coordinated action to keep learners in school.

Steenkamp made the remarks during the 2026 Regional Education Stakeholders’ Conference and Academic Year Launch held late last week, where she urged schools, parents, traditional leaders and social services to work together to address the growing number of learners leaving school before completing basic education.

She reminded communities that the Namibian Constitution and the Basic Education Act of 2020 make it compulsory for children to remain in school until they complete basic education or reach the age of 16.

 Despite this legal requirement, many learners continue to drop out due to poverty, teenage pregnancy, lack of parental support, long distances to schools, hostel challenges and behavioural issues.

Education leaders at the conference stressed the need for schools to strengthen early warning systems to identify learners at risk of dropping out.

Parents and hostel authorities were urged to closely monitor attendance and report prolonged absenteeism, while community mobilisation, psychosocial support and stronger enforcement of attendance regulations were highlighted as key interventions.

“The quality of an education system can not exceed the quality of its teachers and school leaders,” Steenkamp said.

The minister also highlighted health-related challenges affecting education, pointing to the ongoing cholera outbreak in Grootfontein.

By mid-January 2026, 99 suspected cases and 32 confirmed cases had been reported, with no deaths recorded. 

The outbreak has been linked to water, sanitation and hygiene challenges in informal settlements.

Schools in affected areas have been urged to strictly implement WASH protocols, including regular handwashing, the use of treated or boiled water, safe food handling and early referral of suspected cases to health facilities.

Education and health officials warned that disease outbreaks disrupt learning and increase absenteeism, particularly among vulnerable learners.

Addressing staffing issues, Steenkamp said the ministry has decentralised teacher appointments and shortened advertising periods to speed up the filling of vacant posts.

She said principals, school boards, inspectors and human resources practitioners are now expected to ensure that teaching vacancies are filled within 30 days.

Steenkamp further revealed that government hostels in the region exceeded their intended capacity by 242 learners in 2025, reminding schools to strictly adhere to hostel capacity guidelines as set out in Formal Education Circular No. 5 of 2021.

She urged parents, educators and communities to support vaccination programmes and reinforce hygiene practices to safeguard learners and protect the education system.

Reaffirming the ministry’s commitment to supporting schools and regional education offices, Steenkamp said collective effort remains essential to the holistic development of every Namibian child.

“When our schools succeed, the Region succeeds and when the Region succeeds, the nation prospers,” Steenkamp said.

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