Kavango excellence: East dominates NSSCO, West tops NSSCAS
Kavango East has leapt from seventh place in 2024 to become the top-performing region in Namibia’s 2025 National Senior Secondary Certificate Ordinary (NSSCO) examinations, while neighbouring Kavango West retained its leading position in the Advanced Supplementary (NSSCAS) category.
The results, announced yesterday by education minister Sanet Steenkamp in Windhoek, show significant shifts in regional and school performance compared to the previous year.
Kavango East recorded a pass rate of 52.7% - well above the national average of 36% - reflecting the impact of targeted teaching interventions, strong school leadership, and the dedication of learners and educators. Oshikoto followed in second place, with Kavango West in third for the NSSCO examinations, while Kavango West led in the NSSCAS rankings, highlighting the northern regions’ continued academic strength.
Top schools in ordinary stream
In the NSSCO ordinary stream, Negumbo Senior Secondary School in Omusati retained its status as the best-performing public school for full-time candidates. Rukonga Vision School (Kavango East) came second, followed by Rev. Juuso Shikongo Secondary School (Oshikoto). Other high-performing public schools included Onawa Senior Secondary School (Omusati), Max Makushe Secondary School (Kavango East), and Ongwediva Junior Secondary School (Oshana).
Among private schools, Canisianum Roman Catholic School (Omusati) claimed first place, followed by Oshigambo High School (Oshikoto) and Northcote Academy (Oshikoto). St. Boniface College (Kavango East) and Karstveld Academy (Otjozondjupa) completed the top five, with modest reshuffling compared to 2024.
Alternative stream excellence
For the NSSCAS examinations, Rukonga Vision School (Kavango East) dominated public schools, with Onawa Senior Secondary School (Omusati) and Eengedjo Senior Secondary School (Ohangwena) following closely. In the private school category, Canisianum Roman Catholic School (Omusati) remained first, while Elcin Nkurenkuru High School (Kavango West) and Oshigambo High School (Oshikoto) took the second and third spots.
Steenkamp highlights progress
Minister Steenkamp praised the results, emphasising that both learners’ hard work and teachers’ dedication were key to the improved performance. She noted that targeted interventions have significantly uplifted traditionally underperforming regions.
“These results show that targeted interventions and strong teaching practices can boost regional performance. While some regions have made remarkable progress, others need to maintain focused academic support to strengthen learning outcomes,” Steenkamp said.
National and regional highlights The ministry highlighted that over 70% of learners passed with a grade of ‘C’ or higher, marking a steady increase from the 68% pass rate in 2024. The number of distinctions earned in mathematics and science has risen by nearly 10%, signaling that the government’s emphasis on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education is paying dividends.
Officials emphasised that the results are not only about top performers. Increased access to education in rural areas, coupled with support programmes such as after-school tutoring and digital learning initiatives, has helped bridge gaps in historically underperforming regions. “These results are a testament to the resilience of our learners and the dedication of our teachers. While we celebrate excellence, we remain focused on addressing remaining disparities to ensure every child in Namibia has the opportunity to succeed,” said Steenkamp.
The ministry plans to build on this momentum with expanded teacher development programmes and the integration of digital learning tools. Emphasis will also be placed on preparing learners for tertiary education and the emerging job market, particularly in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields. – [email protected]
The results, announced yesterday by education minister Sanet Steenkamp in Windhoek, show significant shifts in regional and school performance compared to the previous year.
Kavango East recorded a pass rate of 52.7% - well above the national average of 36% - reflecting the impact of targeted teaching interventions, strong school leadership, and the dedication of learners and educators. Oshikoto followed in second place, with Kavango West in third for the NSSCO examinations, while Kavango West led in the NSSCAS rankings, highlighting the northern regions’ continued academic strength.
Top schools in ordinary stream
In the NSSCO ordinary stream, Negumbo Senior Secondary School in Omusati retained its status as the best-performing public school for full-time candidates. Rukonga Vision School (Kavango East) came second, followed by Rev. Juuso Shikongo Secondary School (Oshikoto). Other high-performing public schools included Onawa Senior Secondary School (Omusati), Max Makushe Secondary School (Kavango East), and Ongwediva Junior Secondary School (Oshana).
Among private schools, Canisianum Roman Catholic School (Omusati) claimed first place, followed by Oshigambo High School (Oshikoto) and Northcote Academy (Oshikoto). St. Boniface College (Kavango East) and Karstveld Academy (Otjozondjupa) completed the top five, with modest reshuffling compared to 2024.
Alternative stream excellence
For the NSSCAS examinations, Rukonga Vision School (Kavango East) dominated public schools, with Onawa Senior Secondary School (Omusati) and Eengedjo Senior Secondary School (Ohangwena) following closely. In the private school category, Canisianum Roman Catholic School (Omusati) remained first, while Elcin Nkurenkuru High School (Kavango West) and Oshigambo High School (Oshikoto) took the second and third spots.
Steenkamp highlights progress
Minister Steenkamp praised the results, emphasising that both learners’ hard work and teachers’ dedication were key to the improved performance. She noted that targeted interventions have significantly uplifted traditionally underperforming regions.
“These results show that targeted interventions and strong teaching practices can boost regional performance. While some regions have made remarkable progress, others need to maintain focused academic support to strengthen learning outcomes,” Steenkamp said.
National and regional highlights The ministry highlighted that over 70% of learners passed with a grade of ‘C’ or higher, marking a steady increase from the 68% pass rate in 2024. The number of distinctions earned in mathematics and science has risen by nearly 10%, signaling that the government’s emphasis on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education is paying dividends.
Officials emphasised that the results are not only about top performers. Increased access to education in rural areas, coupled with support programmes such as after-school tutoring and digital learning initiatives, has helped bridge gaps in historically underperforming regions. “These results are a testament to the resilience of our learners and the dedication of our teachers. While we celebrate excellence, we remain focused on addressing remaining disparities to ensure every child in Namibia has the opportunity to succeed,” said Steenkamp.
The ministry plans to build on this momentum with expanded teacher development programmes and the integration of digital learning tools. Emphasis will also be placed on preparing learners for tertiary education and the emerging job market, particularly in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields. – [email protected]
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