A second chance at education

Ngatupetuke shares a light moment with her mother, Tjisunga Muukubande, whose support has been crucial in helping her return to school after giving birth. 

 Being a girl in this indigenous, semi-nomadic community often means herding and moving with livestock in search of grazing during droughts, resulting in missed weeks or even months of lessons.

Child marriage, early pregnancy, and deeply rooted patriarchal traditions further hinder girls’ education. Many also start school at an older age, putting them at a disadvantage and increasing the likelihood of dropping out before completing their studies.

For 24-year-old Mukanga Ngatupetuke, the journey back to the classroom was made possible by two factors: Namibia’s Learner Pregnancy Policy and the unwavering support of her mother. In addition, she is using contraceptives to prevent another unintended pregnancy, allowing her to focus on completing her education.

In 2023, at the age of 22, Ngatupetuke gave birth to a baby girl. At the time, she feared her dream of completing school was over, as she would now face the challenges of raising a child while continuing her education.

“I was not happy with my pregnancy,” she admits. “I felt bad for my mother, who now had to take care of my baby.”

Her mother, 84-year-old Tjisunga Muukubande, stood by her side, supporting both her daughter and granddaughter.

Ngatupetuke spends time with her niece on her lap while helping with household chores, balancing her responsibilities as a young mother and a student. 

Support that changes futures

With her mother’s encouragement, backing from her school, and the provisions of Namibia’s Learner Pregnancy Policy, Ngatupetuke was able to return to Omuhonga Combined School. Teachers welcomed her back, and the school provides counselling and guidance to help learners reintegrate and continue their studies.

Otilie Shivute, the school’s Life Skills teacher, explains that unintended pregnancies among learners in Kunene are the result of multiple, interconnected challenges:

“Cultural values and limited knowledge about sexual and reproductive health, including contraceptives, are contributing factors,” she says. “Child marriage is another, girls are expected to take on the role of wife while still attending school. This often leads many to drop out for two to three years, as they stay home to care for their children.”

After giving birth, the school provides returning learners with counselling and academic support to help them catch up and balance their studies with parenting responsibilities.

Her mother urges other parents to do the same.

“Parents, please support your children and allow them to go back to school,” says Tjisunga.

For Ngatupetuke, this experience has been transformative.

“I will not do it again,” she says of becoming pregnant before completing school. “I want to finish my education so I can have a better future for myself and my child.”

UNFPA support to keep girls in school

UNFPA Namibia works with the Government to reduce unintended pregnancies and help girls stay in school. This includes training teachers to provide comprehensive sexuality education (CSE), an age-appropriate, scientifically accurate curriculum that equips young people with knowledge about their bodies, relationships, rights, and responsibilities. Research shows that well-informed youth are more likely to delay sexual activity, avoid unintended pregnancies, and protect themselves from sexually transmitted infections.

UNFPA also trains healthcare workers to provide adolescent-friendly reproductive health services, including long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs), and advocates for broader access to contraceptive options for young people, particularly in underserved areas.

Through these efforts, learners like Ngatupetuke can return to school, access the support they need, and complete their education despite the challenges in their communities.