Erongo needs three new schools every year

Erongo's education system is under growing pressure from rapid population growth, with the region needing at least three new schools or 60 additional classrooms every year to keep pace with rising learner numbers.

Education minister Sanet Steenkamp revealed the figures during the opening of the Horizon Primary School in Swakopmund's DRC settlement, saying approximately 2 000 learners are added to the region's school system annually.

“Annually we have to add at least 60 classrooms or construct three schools,” she said.

Steenkamp said the growth also requires the appointment of significant numbers of new teachers every year.

“Annually we have to make sure that we have at least between 60, 80, 120 teachers newly appointed," she noted.

According to the minister, the challenge highlights the scale of investment required to maintain access to education in one of Namibia's fastest-growing regions.

She said government is currently constructing a N$26 million secondary school and a N$27 million primary school in the DRC area of Swakopmund as part of efforts to reduce overcrowding and increase capacity.

Free

The minister said the continued influx of people into the region means infrastructure development alone is not enough.

She argued that successful schools are not defined solely by buildings or technology but by strong leadership, a culture of care and committed teachers.

Steenkamp said a study of high-performing rural schools found that the strongest predictor of success was effective school leadership, followed by supportive school environments and teachers who are prepared, consistent and fully present in the classroom.

“None of them cost money,” she said of the factors identified by the study.

The minister also called for greater involvement from communities, businesses and development partners in supporting education.

“If education is the most powerful instrument for social mobility, for national development and the eradication of poverty, then we really also need to do more,” she said.

Her remarks come as schools across Erongo continue to face increasing enrolment pressure driven by ongoing migration into the coastal region.

Steenkamp recently visited education construction sites at Henties Bay Extension 7 and in Swakopmund’s DRC area, where new school projects are under way to relieve overcrowding and accommodate Erongo’s growing learner population.