Stakeholders in education have recommended that all schools in the Erongo Region should cultivate their own gardens to help feed pupils who come from disadvantaged backgrounds.

This was one of the recommendations at the just ended meeting held at Swakopmund aimed at developing plan of action.

The stakeholders identified poverty as one of the factors delaying progress in the education.

According to a research by the Namibia National Students Organization (NANSO), there are many children who are heading the households they live in.

NANSO's Gender & Social Welfare Officer in the Erongo, Sirka Mulundu said it is so sad that so many learners come from child headed households, there are some who come from homes whereby their parents work in factories, where they work overtime. These are some of the contributing factors that lead to these children to perform poorly at schools. She further added that, some learners come from very rough backgrounds, where they don't have proper meals, therefore, calling for an establishment of a school feeding programme.

The NANSO representative added that all schools should be assisted in setting up their own gardens.

Urban and Rural Development Deputy Minister, Nathalia |Goagoses agreed with NANSO's recommendations and urged municipalities, village councils and others to assist.

A follow up stakeholders conference will be held to report on progress made with regards to the recommendations.