Erasmus Shalihaxwe
The country’s top performers in the National Senior Secondary Certificate (NSSCO) Ordinary and Advanced Subsidiary Levels are setting their sights on careers in medicine, aiming to contribute to the country’s healthcare sector.
Many of the high achievers expressed aspirations to study at the University of Namibia (UNAM) or abroad.
The exam results were announced on Tuesday by the minister of education, arts and culture, Anna Nghipondoka.
Trinity /Oxurus from Rukonga Vision School in Kavango East shared her passion for radiology and medicine.
“I enjoy learning about the human body and that is why I want to study either radiology or medicine. I am mostly motivated by family, but I also want to be the first doctor in the family,” said /Oxurus.
She plans to pursue her studies at the University of Namibia School of Medicine.
Hofeni Hangula from Onawa Secondary School in the Oshana region echoed similar ambitions, crediting his peers and a desire for excellence as his driving forces.
Magdalena Kamati, from Oshigambo High School in the Oshikoto region, wants to study medicine at the University of Cape Town or the University of Stellenbosch, both in South Africa.
Proud parents also celebrated their children’s success.
Brian Matthys, the father of Jolisa Garises, who is the top performer from Rukonga Vision School, said he is not surprised by his daughter’s performance because she has always been a top performer since lower grades.
“I am very proud of Jolisa. Since she started school, she has actually been performing very well in all the grades. So it didn’t come as a complete surprise that she is one of the top performers in the country. So congratulations to all the other kids who performed well and to those who didn’t make it, there is always a second chance,” said Matthys.
According to Nghipondoka, a total of 14 084 candidates, representing 34.6%, obtained 25 points and above in at least five subjects, compared to 29.4% in 2023. An improvement of 5.2%.
“At NSSCO full-time level, 53.7%, comprising 21 893 candidates, obtained 20 points and above in at least five subjects and could qualify at institutions of higher learning for degree and diploma courses, compared to 48.8%, which represents 19 854 candidates in 2023. This is an improvement of 4.9%,” said Nghipondoka.
While the results marked progress, challenges remain.
Trade Union Congress of Namibia (TUCNA) Secretary General Mahongora Kavihuha acknowledged the improvement but stressed the need for systemic changes to sustain growth.
“The appointment of Heads of Departments (HoDs) can compromise the quality of results. It can even be seen in the performance of the Afrikaans language.
Highlighting specific concerns.
“For example, a HoD joins a school where the medium of communication is Afrikaans, but then that individual cannot speak Afrikaans nor teach Afrikaans. How do you then ensure quality in that kind of situation? So the ministry needs to look into that,” said Kavihuha.
