The leader of OtjiKaoko Traditional Authority says people from Kunene Region are being sidelined in filling senior positions in the education sector. Chief Uziruapi Tjavara has made the allegation in a letter he recently wrote to Kunene Education Director, Angeline Jantze. He said that it was painful to hear again that competent inhabitants of Kunene Region were excluded in filling senior vacancies in the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture. Chief Tjavara wrote the letter one week after the Opuwo and Epupa circuit education inspectors were appointed. He said both appointments should be cancelled and the vacancies re-advertised to include inhabitants of the region. Jantze told NAMPA that the directorate had received many complaints and they will provide the response to Minister Anna Nghipondoka. Tjavara's sentiments are echoed across various platforms by residents of the region, including academics and politicians. A meeting at Opuwo late last year cited marginalisation as one of the issues that hamper the region's performance in education. Several people NAMPA has spoken to say people from one community, which is not predominant in the region, occupy most key positions.