Erasmus Shalihaxwe
The Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture has dismissed claims that some of Namibia’s top-performing Grade 11 and 12 learners had prior access to examination question papers because their parents hold high-ranking positions within the ministry.
Clementine Tsumis-Garises, Director of National Examinations and Assessment, addressed the allegations, which stemmed from a WhatsApp message circulating in a group named “The Africa We Want.”
The message accused the ministry of corruption and favouritism, particularly after Minister Anna Nghipondoka publicly congratulated her nieces, Twapewa and Twahafa Negumbo, during the announcement of the results.
The message also alleged that Jolisa Garises and Mutisya Mutuku, who are among the best-performing learners, have parents with high positions in the ministry.
Tsumis-Garises dismissed the allegations, emphasising the ministry’s stringent measures to ensure transparency in the examination process.
These include mandatory conflict of interest declarations for staff members involved in the Directorate of National Examinations and Assessment (DNEA) and regular audits by the ministry’s internal audit division.
“During these audits, exam scripts are pulled, and the marks recorded in the data management system are cross-checked. Scripts of candidates related to DNEA staff are specifically included in this audit,” said Tsumis-Garises.
She clarified that only three children of two head office staff members were among the top 20 performers nationwide.
Tsumis-Garises questioned whether it is wrong for children of senior staff members to excel.
“In fact, should the ministry and the Namibian nation not encourage all the children, including those of staff members, to perform well academically? Does the complainant believe that three candidates are dominating the top 20 list? The schools these candidates come from exist, and they have performance records from previous grades and internal examination results,” she said.
Tsumis-Garises reiterated the ministry’s commitment to upholding the credibility of national examinations and urged aggrieved parties to raise concerns through formal channels rather than politicising learners’ achievements.
“Please contact these schools to verify whether these candidates were top performers at the school or if they only performed exceptionally well in the national examinations,” said Tsumis-Garises.
