Kunene Governor Vipuakuje Muharukua says high poverty levels, long walking distances, teaching staff shortages, and poor infrastructure are some of the key reasons for the region's continued poor performance in the Senior Secondary Certificate, Ordinary Level, and Advanced Subsidiary Level examinations.

These views were expressed at the recent Kunene Regional Education Academic Awards ceremony in Kamanjab.

Currently, the region ranks lowest at the 14th position in 2025, with a pass rate of 23%.

In a message delivered on his behalf, Muharukua said the government and community must work together for improvements and success.

"We have analysed the cause of these challenges. We've seen that education in Kunene is affected by many realities: poverty and hunger among learners, long walking distances to school, early pregnancies and early marriage, drugs and alcohol abuse, weak parenting involvement, shortage of qualified teachers in key subjects, overcrowded classrooms, and limited resources. These are not merely education problems; they are also socio-economic and leadership challenges."

Statistics also indicate a total of 930 learners dropped out of school in 2025, and a total of 195 teenage pregnancies, of which 13 were underage, were recorded.

However, on a positive note, the region recorded a great improvement in learners into advanced levels in 2025.

"One of the most encouraging developments is the dramatic increase in learners qualifying for advanced subsidiary, or AS level, studies. In 2024, only 145 learners qualified for AS levels, representing 12.9% of candidates; in 2025, that number increased to 248 learners, representing 23% of candidates." This means that learners in Kunene are now progressing to a higher academic level than before, and that is progress."

The award ceremony celebrated effective educational leadership and outstanding performances by schools, teachers, and learners across the region.