Erongo governor demands accountability in education
Results give governor sleepless nights
Erongo governor Nathalia /Goagoses has expressed deep concern over the Namibia Senior Secondary Certificate results, specifically in the Erongo region, where only 32.7% of Grade 11 learners qualified for AS Level (Grade 12). The region ranked ninth overall in the NSSCO results, maintaining the same position as last year.
Speaking on Tuesday during the internal induction of regional councillors in Swakopmund, /Goagoses said she has not slept easy since the results were released.
“These outcomes are not the responsibility of schools alone; they reflect shortcomings across society – parents, communities, institutions and leadership. The results tell us plainly that we are not working as a cohesive team.”
The governor stressed that the 32.7% of learners who qualified is unacceptable. “We are not worth 32% – not as professionals, not as leaders, not as government."
She underlined that education is a collective responsibility. "We are parents, community members, church leaders and role players in shaping the future of our children. Our responsibility is to ensure that children are sent to school for one purpose only: to receive quality education in a safe and supportive environment," she said.
She highlighted the plight of the nearly 60% of learners who did not progress to the next academic level, warning that sending them back into the streets is neither fair nor responsible.
Social problems
/Goagoses added that no child found with drugs, sharp weapons or under the influence of alcohol will remain in school.
“We cannot tolerate behaviour that undermines the learning environment. Instead, alternative arrangements will be made. Children affected by social ills will be placed in specialised centres that we are planning to establish," she said.
"One such centre is a project I wish to take on. I want to open a rehabilitation centre and a technical and vocational training centre, which is a major undertaking. I call upon all leaders and ministries to support us in realising this vision.”
Worrying deficiencies
Referring to specific incidents at High Hope Primary School, where learners were sent home due to lack of water, and at Narraville High School, which had no electricity, /Goagoses emphasised that children cannot be sent home simply because technical facilities are closed.
“You cannot expect the governor or political leaders to go and open a school’s tech facilities. What is your responsibility as a school principal, planner, inspector, or municipal officer? You cannot rely on us to switch on electricity in a high school built three years ago.”
She urged accountability.
“For all these years, as a director, inspector, planner, or in whatever role, you have been receiving your salary – what for? The high school has been standing there, built by the government, yet no action has been taken. The same day the governor intervenes, the electricity is switched on. And now, the same principals are telling me that I am interfering, that I am nonsensical, that I am stupid, that I am old. Criticism and name-calling will not deter us from demanding accountability where outcomes do not match investment.”
The governor added that councillors and administrators need to go beyond the call of duty.
“There can be no business as usual while our children are being failed. We cannot accept a system that sends 60% of our youth into uncertainty and despair," the governor said.
"Responsibility lies at every level. School principals, planners, inspectors, municipal officials – each has a duty to fulfil. It is unacceptable for infrastructure such as schools to remain unused for years due to administrative neglect, only for political leaders to be blamed for stepping in. Such failures cannot continue.”
Speaking on Tuesday during the internal induction of regional councillors in Swakopmund, /Goagoses said she has not slept easy since the results were released.
“These outcomes are not the responsibility of schools alone; they reflect shortcomings across society – parents, communities, institutions and leadership. The results tell us plainly that we are not working as a cohesive team.”
The governor stressed that the 32.7% of learners who qualified is unacceptable. “We are not worth 32% – not as professionals, not as leaders, not as government."
She underlined that education is a collective responsibility. "We are parents, community members, church leaders and role players in shaping the future of our children. Our responsibility is to ensure that children are sent to school for one purpose only: to receive quality education in a safe and supportive environment," she said.
She highlighted the plight of the nearly 60% of learners who did not progress to the next academic level, warning that sending them back into the streets is neither fair nor responsible.
Social problems
/Goagoses added that no child found with drugs, sharp weapons or under the influence of alcohol will remain in school.
“We cannot tolerate behaviour that undermines the learning environment. Instead, alternative arrangements will be made. Children affected by social ills will be placed in specialised centres that we are planning to establish," she said.
"One such centre is a project I wish to take on. I want to open a rehabilitation centre and a technical and vocational training centre, which is a major undertaking. I call upon all leaders and ministries to support us in realising this vision.”
Worrying deficiencies
Referring to specific incidents at High Hope Primary School, where learners were sent home due to lack of water, and at Narraville High School, which had no electricity, /Goagoses emphasised that children cannot be sent home simply because technical facilities are closed.
“You cannot expect the governor or political leaders to go and open a school’s tech facilities. What is your responsibility as a school principal, planner, inspector, or municipal officer? You cannot rely on us to switch on electricity in a high school built three years ago.”
She urged accountability.
“For all these years, as a director, inspector, planner, or in whatever role, you have been receiving your salary – what for? The high school has been standing there, built by the government, yet no action has been taken. The same day the governor intervenes, the electricity is switched on. And now, the same principals are telling me that I am interfering, that I am nonsensical, that I am stupid, that I am old. Criticism and name-calling will not deter us from demanding accountability where outcomes do not match investment.”
The governor added that councillors and administrators need to go beyond the call of duty.
“There can be no business as usual while our children are being failed. We cannot accept a system that sends 60% of our youth into uncertainty and despair," the governor said.
"Responsibility lies at every level. School principals, planners, inspectors, municipal officials – each has a duty to fulfil. It is unacceptable for infrastructure such as schools to remain unused for years due to administrative neglect, only for political leaders to be blamed for stepping in. Such failures cannot continue.”
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article