1 100 learners unplaced as Khomas classrooms overflow

More than 1 100 Khomas region learners were left without school placements at the start of the academic year.

Khomas governor Sam Nujoma yesterday said the figures reflect an urgent infrastructure crisis.

Over 300 Grade 1 learners and more than 805 Grade 8 learners remained unplaced by March, particularly in high-density constituencies such as Tobias Hainyeko, Katutura Central, Samora Machel, Moses Garoeb, and Khomasdal.

This has driven class sizes to between 40 and 55 learners per teacher.

“Our region continues to face the problem of overcrowding… while our parents have to stand in long queues just to secure a place for their children in school,” Khomas governor Sam Nujoma said during his state of the region address yesterday.

The governor noted that on the positive side, the region achieved “remarkable” progress in education outcomes and expanded education investment beyond N$350 million.

“I am proud to report that Khomas learners have once again demonstrated progress in the 2025 ordinary and advanced subsidiary level results,” he said.

Khomas improved from eighth to fourth position nationally in ordinary level results and from tenth to ninth at advanced subsidiary level.

“This remarkable leap is a collective triumph of our learners, teachers, parents and schools, achieved despite overcrowded classrooms and limited resources,” Nujoma added.

New schools

To address infrastructure gaps, ten education capital projects worth more than N$200 million are currently under construction across Khomas.

These include new primary schools and expansions in rapidly growing communities such as Otjomuise and Goreangab.

A further five projects valued at N$153 million are set for procurement in the 2026/27 financial year, including a N$75 million primary school in Havana and a new special school in Windhoek.

The Khomas Regional Council has supplemented these efforts with targeted investments in school infrastructure, including smart boards, laboratory upgrades, classroom renovations, and new furniture across multiple institutions.

Strong support

On the support front, 126 Namcol students received assistance to upgrade their results in 2026, while 55 tertiary students were supported with registration fees. The Back to School Programme allocated N$500 000, benefiting approximately 320 learners with uniforms, books, and equipment.

The Office of the Governor also settled outstanding fees for 23 students worth N$310 000 and secured scholarships for 10 others in fields such as occupational health and safety, healthcare services, and counselling, Nujoma said.

At the higher education level, construction of the National School of Medicine Phase 3 is ongoing for N$515 million, while plans for a new student village in Windhoek aim to ease accommodation shortages driven by rising enrolment.

However, the transition from education to employment remains a concern. Of the 3 923 jobseekers registered on the Namibia Integrated Employment Information System, only 218 have been placed.

“This underscores the urgent need to align our training pipeline with the national TVET expansion and the new work-integrated learning policy,” Nujoma said.

He urged both public and private institutions to expand internship and apprenticeship opportunities. “When we train graduates, we are shaping the next generation of professionals and industry leaders,” he said.