Renthia Kaimbi
Education stakeholders from across the Erongo Region have gathered in Swakopmund last week for a high-level conference to confront the region’s declining academic performance and chart a strategic path toward reclaiming its status as a beacon of educational excellence.
The Erongo Regional Education Conference 2026, held at the Swakopmund Hotel & Entertainment Centre under the themeIntrospection of the Declining State of Education in Erongo Region: A Strategic Framework to Enhance Educational Performance, has brought together regional councillors, school principals, teachers, community leaders, and officials from the education ministry to diagnose the root causes of underperformance and agree on practical solutions.
The conference was prompted by disappointing national examination results that saw the region rank ninth nationally at Ordinary Level and eleventh at Advanced Subsidiary Level in both 2024 and 2025, falling from its former reputation as one of Namibia’s leading education regions.
Delivering the keynote address, Walvis Bay Urban constituency councillor Albertina Nkoshi described the choice of the conference theme as timely and important, emphasising the need for honest introspection.
“Introspection requires honesty. It requires courage. And it requires leadership,” Nkoshi told delegates.
“It is often easier to celebrate our successes than it is to critically examine our shortcomings. Yet genuine progress begins when we are prepared to look honestly at ourselves and ask difficult questions.”
Nkoshi warned against the danger of becoming comfortable with decline, stressing that a region once among the best should never accept mediocrity.
“When performance deteriorates gradually, there is always a temptation to accept the situation as normal. But excellence demands something different. Excellence requires urgency. Excellence requires accountability. Excellence requires continuous improvement,” she said.
She called on all stakeholders to approach the discussions with openness and honesty, urging participants to remain focused on the learner in the classroom.
“We are here because of the young child who dreams of becoming a doctor, engineer, teacher, scientist, entrepreneur, or leader. We are here because every learner deserves access to quality education and every opportunity to succeed.”
The councillor also highlighted the role of teachers and school leaders in shaping learner outcomes, noting that policies, buildings, and reports do not teach children but teachers do.
“Teachers remain the foundation of every successful education system. Every day, teachers enter classrooms carrying one of the most important responsibilities in society. They inspire. They guide. They mentor. They shape the future.”
She further stressed that strong school leadership remains essential, as principals establish expectations and create cultures of accountability.
Erongo Regional Council chief regional officer Mupenzeni Ntelamo, in his address outlining the purpose of the conference, emphasised the need for honesty about where the region has fallen short.
“For too long, our region has fallen short of its education targets. We have planned with good intent, yet our efforts have not consistently delivered the results our learners, teachers, and communities deserve,” Ntelamo stated.
“Acknowledging this truth is not a sign of failure; it is the first step towards meaningful improvement.”
He announced that a monitoring and evaluation plan would be established to track implementation and account for progress, adding: “If we fail our education system, we risk failing our learners and limiting their opportunities for a productive and dignified future.”
Nkoshi concluded her address with a vision for the conference to serve as a catalyst for meaningful change, urging participants to explore new possibilities and strengthen collaboration.
“The future belongs to education systems that are willing to learn, reflect, and evolve. My hope is that when future generations look back on this conference, they will see it as a turning point – a moment when stakeholders came together, difficult conversations were held, collective responsibility was embraced, and a renewed journey towards educational excellence began.”
