Higher level results better

Higher level results betterTop performers over the moon The education minister says the teacher's strike had little impact on the Grade 12 examination results announced yesterday. Education minister Katrina Hanse-Himarwa said an analysis of the Grade 12 higher level examination results of 2016 shows that more candidates stand a chance to qualify for entry to tertiary institutions next year.

However, she noted that performances in subjects such as Accounting, Arts and Design, Keyboard and Processing and African languages are negatively affected because of a lack of teachers. “In order to address this shortcoming, I have tasked my team to engage the Namibia Students Financial Aid Fund (NSFAF) to consider these subject areas as priority subjects,” the minister said yesterday while announcing the Grade 12 higher level examination results. She, however, dismissed the notion that the recent teacher strike which lasted one day has negatively affected these examinations. According to her, learners performed very well in the subjects that were directly affected by the absence of teachers. These subjects are Life Science and Mathematics which stands at average marks of 49.9% and 93% this year. Renathe Potgieter of Walvis Bay Private School emerged as the best performer this year.

She told Namibian Sun that perseverance is important. Potgieter, who wants to study medicine next year, said she could only reach this level with the support of her family and teachers. “I studied using the method people warn against – sitting with my cat in my lap and reading my books. It worked for me, but also a lot of hard work,” she said.

Tsengelmaa Sundui from St. Paul's College came second and says she has simply always tried very hard to be the “best in everything.” “I have always kept my efforts consistently,” she said and added that she plans to take a gap year in 2017.

“I am very indecisive about what I want to study that is why I need time, at the moment I am struggling to decide between Engineering and Economics.”

Blessing Chizengeya from St. Boniface College is the third best candidate and wants to study medicine. “I have had a bad experience and there was a shortage of doctors and this is why I want to be a doctor.”



JEMIMA BEUKES