Ohangwena boys behind in education, health
The Ohangwena region in Namibia has reported 1,750 school dropouts in 2025, with boys representing the majority of cases. First gentleman Denga Ndaitwah is leading consultations to address the underlying issues of poverty, child labor, and lack of parental support.
Why it matters
This highlights a growing gender-specific educational crisis that threatens the long-term socio-economic development of the region.
The Ohangwena region recorded about 1 750 school dropouts in 2025, with boys accounting for the majority, prompting the first gentleman to call for urgent, coordinated community action targeting boys.
First gentleman Denga Ndaitwah announced this during an engagement session at Eenhana on Saturday.
He said the figures raise concern over the growing gap in the academic and health needs of boys in the region.
The region also recorded the highest number of school dropouts among all the regions he has visited during his national ‘boy-child’ consultations.
“Behind these numbers are young lives affected by poverty, child labour, limited parental involvement and the pressure to provide for their families,” Ndaitwah said.
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