Low pass rate worry Minister
By Staff Reporter

Education Minister, Dr Abraham Iyambo, has expressed concerns over the low pass rates in the education system in the country, saying that this reality deserved joint attention by all Namibians.

“Persistent low pass rates raise profound questions by communities,” he said. “Some schools are being deserted by learners, parents and communities due to their poor performance.

“The question on the minds of parents and the State is: Why are pass rates so frighteningly low? Low pass rates are experienced at primary and secondary schools.”

The situation, he said, was artificially magnified at grades 10 and 12 largely because the results for such grades were publicized. But, he added, government needed to relook at the whole system and find a solution to such low pass rates.

“Is there a need to relook at the number of subjects that a learner must study at junior and secondary levels?,” he asked. “There seems to be a concern that they are overwhelmingly too many.

There are also persistent questions about the preparation and attitude of specific teachers. However, we know that there are exceptions to this.” The Minister said that he was convinced that many of the teachers were well prepared, had positive attitude and were performing par excellence. However, he appealed to parents to become actively involved in their children’s education careers and instill in them a value system of discipline, respect, hard work and ambition.

“This will facilitate and allow teachers to successfully teach and impart knowledge and skills,” he said. “Parents have a moral and legal obligation and responsibility to see to it that their children attend school.”