Mariental: Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Sanet Steenkamp has called for a realignment of the Hardap Region's education strategy, urging schools to shift greater attention towards foundational learning, teacher accountability, and the maintenance of education infrastructure.
According to Namibia Press Agency, Steenkamp, during an engagement with stakeholders in education, including officials and principals in Mariental, emphasized that improving learner outcomes requires more than interventions at the senior secondary level. She highlighted that the education system has traditionally focused heavily on senior grades, while insufficient attention has been given to building strong foundations in the earlier stages of education.
Steenkamp expressed that the focus on senior secondary grades was misplaced, advocating for a return to basics with the mantra 'Foundations first, excellence always.' She noted that the region's turnaround strategy requires realignment, emphasizing that education officials already possess significant knowledge and experience that should be supported through proper application and resource allocation.
Steenkamp also stressed the need for stronger professional leadership in schools, advocating for both support and accountability for teachers. She raised concerns about the condition of education infrastructure in southern Namibia, noting that the perception of adequate existing infrastructure has led to neglect in maintenance, renovation, and upgrading.
The minister urged principals to institutionalize routine maintenance rather than relying solely on national authorities to address infrastructure issues.
Meanwhile, Regional Director of Education Lewin Paulus highlighted the Hardap Regional Turnaround Strategic Plan, introduced more than five years ago, as a roadmap for improving education outcomes. He noted the region's approximately 65 schools across three circuits face unique challenges due to its vast geographical area.
Paulus reported an improvement in the region's Advanced Subsidiary (AS) level qualification rate from 13.7% in 2024 to 25.7% in 2025 but acknowledged that further efforts are needed. The region plans to implement a holiday school programme for Grade 11 and AS-level learners, supported by N$500 000 from the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). This programme will target learners at selected sites in Mariental, Gibeon, and Aranos ahead of the final examinations.