N$1.2bn needed to fix Ohangwena schools, official says

For more than three decades, learners at Namhadi yaMwelihanyeka Primary School in the Ohangwena region have been taught in conditions that some educators describe as “unfit for human dignity”.

With only two permanent classrooms built since its establishment in 1992, most learners at the school in Oshushu village, Okongo constituency, still sit on sandy floors in makeshift shelters consisting of sticks, plastic and corrugated iron.

Desks, chairs and proper classrooms remain a distant dream.

A photo that made the rounds on social media this week, showing the children seated on bare floors while trying to take notes, has sparked public outrage and drawn attention to the long-ignored plight of the rural school.

Speaking to Namibian Sun this week, Grade One teacher Betrice Kaulya confirmed that the image reflects the daily reality faced by hundreds of learners.

“The school has been struggling to bring the standard of education to a better level and to transform the lives of the future young generation,” Kaulya said.

“However, the dreams and aspirations for the school cannot be realised due to the many challenges we experience,” she added.

Among the challenges, Kaulya listed a severe shortage of classrooms, furniture, teaching resources, proper fencing and even a reliable water supply.

“Since its establishment to date, the school has only one building block with two rooms. These only accommodate pre-primary and Grade One. The rest of the learners are taught in temporary shelters,” she explained.

“Learners have been studying like this since 1992.”

No money

Ohangwena regional director Isak Hamatwi this week said the poor conditions are a result of limited funding.

“Learners are taught under such facilities because of limited financial resources. The budget is limited and we cannot construct permanent classrooms at each and every school,” Hamatwi  said.

He added that increased enrolments have “outstripped available resources”.

Namhadi yaMwelihanyeka Primary School is not an isolated case, Hamatwi underlined.

“We have several other schools with similar situations, even worse. We are not enjoying such sights. These situations are forced upon us by inadequate resources."

Hamatwi revealed the true scale of the problem in the region.

“Just last week we indicated that we need N$1.2 billion for classroom construction to replace more than 700 structures constructed with zinc and sticks and used as classrooms. That is only in the Ohangwena region,” he said.

School limps on

The most urgent needs, according to Kaulya, are simple but critical: “Building materials and furniture, chairs and tables.”

Despite repeated pleas to education authorities, help has never arrived, she stressed.

"We have requested assistance several times over the years, but the responses have always been negative,” she said.

Eino Kakonda, the school’s principal, confirmed the dire situation, saying the conditions shown in the photo are not an exception but the norm.

Most learners are taught in temporary structures that offer little protection from harsh weather, Kakonda said.

“The school lacks furniture – tables and chairs for learners –  and other teaching and learning materials. All this is attributed to lack of funds,” Kakonda added.

Desperate parents have tried to help, but many cannot afford to do so.

“Some parents give chairs to their kids, whereas those who cannot afford it just send them as they are,” Kakonda explained.

Pleas fall on deaf ears

Over the years, the school has written “numerous requests” to the Ohangwena regional directorate of education, pleading for intervention. “But no favourable response has been given,” Kakonda said.

In an effort to attract support, the school has even gone as far as renaming itself after prominent figures to appeal to potential donors.

“We have sought patronage and assistance from individuals and the business community, but the situation remains the same,” the principal said.

With no government assistance forthcoming, the school now relies on goodwill to survive.

“Our immediate plans are to continue seeking help from individuals, business communities, NGOs, companies and any good Samaritan who can assist us so that the classroom environment becomes conducive to teaching and learning,” Kakonda said.

The school also plans to intensify fundraising efforts, but leaders admit that such initiatives can only do so much.