Parental Support: The Hidden Strength Behind Exam Success

(By: Sylvia Hashondali)

As thousands of learners across Namibia prepare for the 2025 national

examinations, the Directorate of National Examinations and Assessment

(DNEA) is reminding parents that their role in the process is more important

than ever.

The DNEA provides national assessment and certification services to

the educational system, such as exam paper development, candidate

registration, exam administration, and marker and moderator

appointments. Its goal is to assess what learners have been taught, guided

by the principles of validity and fairness

Speaking to Campus Connect, Ms. Elizabeth Ndjendja, Deputy Director

of DNEA at the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and

Culture (MEIYSAC), stressed that while the DNEA does not work directly

with parents, their influence on learners’ performance is undeniable.

“We have observed that learners perform better when parents take

an active interest in their education,” Ndjendja explained, adding,

“encouragement, routine, and emotional support at home go a long way

in building learners’ confidence and motivation.”

According to Ndjendja, the DNEA collaborates closely with regional

education directorates and schools to ensure effective communication

with parents. Schools are encouraged to share exam-related information early, such as

admission permits and timetables, and to remind parents of their critical

role during exam season.

From a general perspective, parents can support their children by creating

a quiet and consistent study environment at home, encouraging daily

revision and good time management, ensuring learners get enough

rest, balanced meals, and emotional reassurance, and taking an active

interest in what their children are studying and discussing progress

openly; Staying in touch with teachers to remain informed about exam

requirements and expectations.

Ndjendja also highlighted the importance of positive reinforcement over

pressure, stating,“Parents should focus on effort rather than just results.

Motivation works best when it comes through encouragement, not fear

of failure,” she said.

Furthermore, Ndjendja added that every child’s potential is unique, to

help them compete with themselves, not with others. “When children

feel understood and supported, they perform with confidence rather than

pressure,”Ndjendja noted.

She added thaparental support complements the DNEA’s mission of

fairness and quality in examinations. A stable home environment gives

learners a fair chance to showcase their true abilities.

“It’s important for parents to understand that learners are not being

‘tested’ in a punitive sense, but ‘examined’ to demonstrate what

they have learned,” Ndjendja explained.

Namibia’s youth are already shaping the cultural and economic

landscape. Our responsibility is to give them the enabling

environment to do even more,” she noted.