High dropout rate holds us back
Last week the Oshikoto education directorate announced that a total number of
1 768 learners dropped out of school in the region last year.
It is reported that 459 pupils dropped out in the first semester, 694 in the second term and 615 in the final term. This dropout crisis is just the tip of the iceberg if one considers the unreported cases nationwide.
The Oshikoto dropout rate is shockingly high and it is disturbing to see such phenomena unfolding.
More than ever the government has done enough to prioritise education and to ensure that children of schoolgoing age have access to classrooms, following the implementation of the universal free primary and secondary education.
Yes, the challenges facing education, especially from a quality point of view, are highly documented.
We are often reminded that education is the great equaliser and that quality education is without doubt a fundamental human right. It is one of the many tools that can help our children to build a better future and ultimately break free from poverty.
But we cannot attain our national goals with such a high dropout rate.
It really holds us back as a nation and it is very sad to see that despite high grade 1 enrolments, it is almost certain that hundreds of children will never have the experience of sitting in a matric class, due to inter-related factors such as financial pressures, teenage pregnancy and substance abuse.
Disability, family structure and living in isolated communities are furthermore contributing factors to the significant school dropout rate.
While we examine the underlying factors and school dropout rates, we really need to actively engage each other and come up with working solutions to arrest this disturbing trend.
Learners should be motivated to be in the classroom and need regular support from their teachers.
On top of that, parents must play an active role and guarantee the support of the family.
Learners alone cannot be the greatest assets.
Teachers, parents and the community at large must come to the party and help the Namibian child progress.
1 768 learners dropped out of school in the region last year.
It is reported that 459 pupils dropped out in the first semester, 694 in the second term and 615 in the final term. This dropout crisis is just the tip of the iceberg if one considers the unreported cases nationwide.
The Oshikoto dropout rate is shockingly high and it is disturbing to see such phenomena unfolding.
More than ever the government has done enough to prioritise education and to ensure that children of schoolgoing age have access to classrooms, following the implementation of the universal free primary and secondary education.
Yes, the challenges facing education, especially from a quality point of view, are highly documented.
We are often reminded that education is the great equaliser and that quality education is without doubt a fundamental human right. It is one of the many tools that can help our children to build a better future and ultimately break free from poverty.
But we cannot attain our national goals with such a high dropout rate.
It really holds us back as a nation and it is very sad to see that despite high grade 1 enrolments, it is almost certain that hundreds of children will never have the experience of sitting in a matric class, due to inter-related factors such as financial pressures, teenage pregnancy and substance abuse.
Disability, family structure and living in isolated communities are furthermore contributing factors to the significant school dropout rate.
While we examine the underlying factors and school dropout rates, we really need to actively engage each other and come up with working solutions to arrest this disturbing trend.
Learners should be motivated to be in the classroom and need regular support from their teachers.
On top of that, parents must play an active role and guarantee the support of the family.
Learners alone cannot be the greatest assets.
Teachers, parents and the community at large must come to the party and help the Namibian child progress.
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Namibian Sun
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