Windhoek: Omaheke Education Director, Constance Wantenaar, has applauded the education leadership in the region for their commitment towards improving learners' performance in the Grade 11 and 12 results.

According to Namibia Press Agency, about 500 learners from various schools in the region gathered at the Epukiro Secondary School along with teachers from other regions for a vacation school which started on 15 August and is expected to end on 25 August 2026. The school was ranked fourth countrywide in the Grade 12 examination results last year, besides being the region's top performer.

Speaking to Nampa on Thursday, Wantenaar said the initiative is a clear demonstration that the region prioritises the education of the Namibian child. 'The commitment from education leadership, principals, management, teachers, learners and parents for making the vacation or holiday school classes programme a reality is remarkable,' she said.

Furthermore, the director added that the same exercise is taking place at the Wennie du Plessis, Gustav Kandjii and C.Heuva secondary schools as well as at the Nossob Combined School and Mokganedi Thlabanello High School. 'As the directorate, we welcome and support the initiatives because they provide learners with additional opportunities to strengthen their knowledge, while teachers share good practices, examination approaching skills, revise difficult topics and motivation sessions,' she said.

Wantenaar also encouraged all learners to make full use of the opportunity and urged the teachers to continue going the extra mile in supporting the learners. "This is the spirit of maintaining excellence and sustaining success," she said.

Meanwhile, Sagarias Tjivahe Uanivi, the principal of Epukiro Secondary School, said the vacation school is going on as planned and has acquired teachers in various disciplines. "We have expertise from as far as the University of Namibia, Keetmanshoop and from schools in the Omaheke Region. We don't have many new faces here," he said. Uanivi further thanked the school management, school board, teachers, hostel staff and experts for sacrificing their holiday for the sake of the Namibian child.