Parents challenge OSS Grade 10 failure rates

Calls for intervention
Concerned parents have called for failing Grade 10 learners to be promoted to Grade 11, blaming poor academic results on what they describe as shortcomings in the quality of education.
Rozanne Swart
  • 1 Day Ago

The new school year started last week, and many Grade 10 learners at Otjiwarongo Secondary School (OSS) are unhappy with their 2025 results.

On Friday, 16 January, a meeting was held with parents, school leaders, and the Director of Education for the Otjozondjupa Region, Gerhard Ndafenongo. At the meeting, parents asked that learners be promoted to Grade 11, even though they did not meet the minimum requirements to pass Grade 10, arguing that this was due to the low quality of education their children received in certain subjects.

The acting education inspector for the Otjiwarongo Circuit, Rauha Mika, stated during the meeting that the pass rate for Grade 10 at OSS in 2025 was 65.8%. This means that of the 152 students enrolled in Grade 10, 108 passed, while 44 did not meet the minimum requirements to be promoted and will repeat Grade 10 in 2026.

Parents expressed their dissatisfaction with the quality of education OSS provided. One parent, who wished to remain anonymous, said the main issue does not lie solely with the underperforming children. They stated: “Everybody from the top has to do their job for it to be reflected in the learners’ results. The ministry has to regularly inspect and ensure that teaching and the quality of education are up to standard.”

They also highlighted challenges faced by learners, including teachers being absent for extended periods and some teachers being unable to effectively deliver the syllabus. The parent added, “We, as parents, know our children are not perfect, but when a class average for a subject is below 40%, and the pass rate is 40%, the blame cannot fall solely on the children.”

An answer regarding the request to promote learners to Grade 11 or the steps the Department of Education plans to take to address the issue was promised to parents on the same day; however, as of Monday, 19 January, no response had been received. The parent commented: “This is just another empty promise from their side.”

My Zone reached out to the acting principal of OSS, Lydia Nghifinwa, for comments from the school, but was directed to contact Ndafenongo instead, from whom no response was received by the time of publication.