Background & Academic Support Programme
State of education in Namibia
Despite a massive financial injection of N$14,1billion into Namibia’s education sector in the 2022/2023 financial year, 2022 marked the lowest National Senior Certificate Ordinary Level results of all time in the country.
A distressing 78% of pupils who sat for the NSSCO failed to achieve the 25 points required for university admission or to progress to the advanced subsidiary level.
The historic failure rate experienced during the 2022 academic year seriously affects the ability of many children to one day become productive members of our society. Many of the children and youth face an uncertain future of poverty and unemployment.
The current youth unemployment rate in the Khomas region alone is estimated to be in the range of 50%.
Effects of poor education results on Riverheights
Until 2022; the focus of the Riverheights Football Academy was directed at setting up football teams and adequate training methods to enable our teams to compete in the local football league.
Covid-19 was a further blow to our players, many of whom struggle academically. During the lengthy period of lock-downs the children, unlike their counterparts in private schools, did not receive online schooling. This fact resulted in many of them either not passing or passing only with very poor results in 2022.
This in turn had the consequence that many children who failed were not accepted at their old schools. In such cases, parents were left with no other option but to look for schools in different parts of the country.
Moving children to other towns rips the teams apart. Bonds of friendship, forged on the football ‘battlefield’ over the years, are interrupted or lost. The positive development made by the children through many years of training and coaching is likewise interrupted or lost.
Academic Support Programme
Investing in the Future: Our Education Programme
In 2022, Namibia's education system faced unprecedented challenges, with many students struggling and falling behind. Recognizing this, the Football Academy took action, launching an after-school education programme in 2023 to support our players' academic success.
Why We Started
Many of our players were experiencing academic difficulties, with low grades and even needing to repeat grades. We knew that education is key to their future and empowers them to break free from poverty. However, due to limited resources, we initially focused on Grades 8-11 and 30 players who had been with us since the beginning.
Making it Happen
The programme started in February 2023, offering three weekly sessions in Math, English, and Geography, led by dedicated volunteer tutors. We also partnered with Jakob Marengo Secondary School (JMSS) by signing a Memorandum of Understanding. JMSS provided classrooms, teacher support for a modest fee, and helped manage the programme.
Early Progress and Future Plans
While the first year presented challenges, we saw positive progress in the players' academic performance. This year, more players have enrolled, recognizing the program's value. We have also expanded to include English courses for primary school players, understanding the importance of strong language skills for future success.
Our Vision
Our long-term goal is to establish a container park near the football fields, housing the school support program, a library, a multimedia and social media room, and a kitchen to provide nutritious meals. This will reduce travel time and ensure easy access to educational facilities.
Join Us in Building a Brighter Future
We believe in the power of education to transform lives. By supporting our programme, you can help our players achieve their academic goals and unlock their full potential.
