‘Bashu’ classrooms must go – Sikongo

Tondoro constituency councillor Joseph Sikongo has called on government to boost the education ministry&#039;s budget to ensure the construction of proper classrooms and eliminate makeshift structures that continue to hinder learning.During a recent visit to Mburu-uru Primary School in Kavango West, Sikongo expressed frustration over the continued use of zinc classroom structures, which he described as unfit for a conducive learning environment."Now, look at these structures – the zinc structures with small windows. When the teacher and learners sit inside, they feel the heat," he told representatives of the information, communication and technology who accompanied him during the visit. "By 11 o’clock, both the teacher and learners must leave the classroom because it does not provide a conducive environment for teaching and learning.”He emphasised that “for 34 years, we have continued to say we don&#039;t have money. Yet, the Constitution makes it clear – it is a constitutional provision that the State must provide reasonable facilities. These makeshift structures, these bashus, cannot be called classrooms in an independent Namibia," he said.Sikongo further lamented the lack of infrastructure development in the education sector, citing Mburu-uru Primary School as a glaring example.Old and forgotten"This structure here was built in 1972 – a two-classroom block. Since then, no additional classrooms have been constructed. Today, we have 204 learners. That is why you see students being taught under these bashus," he said.Nevertheless, he highlighted that despite these steep hurdles, learners and teachers are dedicated to excelling in education."God is good. This year, our students have performed well, including those in the Tondoro constituency. We have excelled and even proven to Windhoek beyond a reasonable doubt that it is not the structure that determines success, but the quality of teaching and learning," he said.He urged the education ministry and government to prioritise budget allocations for classroom construction, stressing that makeshift structures must be eradicated."They are not classrooms and cannot be considered classrooms. This cannot be treated as business as usual. Change must happen," he said.No supportSikongo’s concerns echo similar frustrations raised by residents of Tuhingireni informal settlement on the outskirts of Rundu in the Kavango East Region.In 2023, Namibian Sun reported that 18 qualified teachers who were unable to secure employment took it upon themselves to build a makeshift school to address the critical classroom shortage in the area. Despite their commendable efforts, the school continues to struggle with basic operational requirements.nikanor@nmh-hub.com.na

‘Bashu’ classrooms must go – Sikongo

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-02

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‘Bashu’ classrooms must go – Sikongo

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-02

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