Parents of grade 10 learners schooling at Otjiwarongo Secondary School have blamed the school for their children's poor performance in Grade 10. 

They met with school leaders and Otjozondjupa Education Director Gerhard Ndafenongo to discuss the issues affecting learners' results and the promotion of students to the next grade. 

According to the parents, the school faced several challenges last year.

They reported that the acting principal holds three positions, including teaching economics, and was absent from class most of the time.

The accounting teachers travelled for further studies on short notice, leaving learners without a teacher for days.

Some teachers reportedly went on leave without providing alternative work for learners, and no relief programmes were implemented.

Acting Education Inspector for Otjiwarongo Circuit, Rauha Mika, acknowledged the difficulties experienced.

She said the school's grade 10 performance stands at 65.8%, given that 100 out of 152 learners passed. 

"Now, still out of 152 learners, we have 44 learners that are not promoted, which is now 28.9%, or let's say 30%. When they are not promoted, they are repeating."

Despite not meeting the grade requirements, Ndafenongo says parents insist that their children be promoted to Grade 11.

"The only good thing we can offer is that these kids have to repeat; they have to rematch. If they are two per cent below the pass, I'm asking the inspector to look at and recommend to our office, but if they are far from the pass, there's nothing we can do after they were already condemned."

He assured parents that the department would investigate the situation thoroughly and implement measures to support both learners and teachers.

Ndafenongo emphasised that the overall performance of Otjiwarongo Secondary School remains good at both the ordinary and advanced subsidiary levels, highlighting the school's second position in the regional rankings.