Education minister Sanet Steenkamp calls on schools, teachers and families to give pupils strong support as the 2026 Namibia Senior Secondary Certificate Ordinary (NSSCO) examination results are released next Tuesday.
Speaking to The Namibian yesterday, Steenkamp said the period before results are released is emotionally difficult for many pupils who need calm, guidance and reassurance from the adults around them.
“Educators should offer clear guidance on post-school options and ensure that counselling services are accessible to pupils,” she said.
Steenkamp also appealed to parents and guardians not to place undue pressure on results and to recognise pupils’ efforts and inner strengths.
Steenkamp added that examination performance is a snapshot of a specific moment under specific conditions and does not capture a pupil’s creativity, leadership, technical ability or capacity to grow and adapt.
“The release of matric results is an important milestone, but it does not define your worth, your identity, intelligence or future,” she said.
The minister added that pupils have different routes after school, including vocational training, skills programmes and entrepreneurship.
Steenkamp’s message comes at a time when exam results are under more public and political scrutiny as many pupils are failing to qualify for further studies.
In the 2024 NSSCO examinations, only 12 031 candidates – about 29.5% – qualified to progress to advanced subsidiary level or university, leaving more than 28 700 pupils without the necessary grades for higher education opportunities.
Although this represented a modest improvement from the 25.2% qualification rate in 2023, the headline figures triggered concerns about systemic challenges in the education sector, including resource shortages, planning issues and uneven performances across subjects.
Eureka Psychological Services psychologist and executive Ceaseria Mutau reinforces Steenkamp’s message, acknowledging that it is natural for pupils to feel anxiety and uncertainty ahead of results day.
Mutau advises pupils to name and process their emotions, seek support from trusted individuals and view results as feedback on performance, not a definitive judgement of potential.
“Being heard can immediately reduce emotional distress, so talk to someone you trust. Above all, be kind to yourself,” Mutau says.
She further urges pupils to avoid isolation and gradually explore options regardless of their outcomes.
How to help your child navigate this difficult
time and find a way forward
Manage your own reaction first
Before you speak to your child, take a moment to check your own emotions. It is natural to feel worried about their future or even embarrassed by what the neighbours might think. However, your child is likely already feeling a deep sense of shame. If you react with intense anger or visible devastation, they may shut down completely. Take a deep breath and remind yourself that your child’s worth is not tied to a set of symbols on a statement of results.
Create a safe space to talk
Once the initial shock has worn off, sit down for a quiet conversation. Let them express how they feel without interrupting. They might be crying, they might be silent or they might act like they do not care as a defence mechanism.
Avoid saying things like:
“I told you that you should have studied harder.”
“What are we going to tell your aunt?”
“You have wasted so much money.”
Try saying these instead:
“I can see you are hurting, and I am here for you.”
“This is a setback, but it is not the end of your story.”
“We will figure out a plan together once we have had some time to process this.”
– Additional reporting by IOL News
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