Lüderitz school denies N$310 fee for Grade 8 applications

Lüderitz Junior Secondary School principal Bessly Makaula has refuted claims that the school charged parents N$310 for Grade 8 enrolment application forms.

The claims emerged after a parent visited the school on 16 June.

"We were told the forms were being sold for N$310," the parent alleged. "If I am not mistaken, all schools charge for forms, some N$150 and others N$100," the parent wrote in a Facebook post.

They said it was disheartening to see some parents return home because they could not afford the fee.

"Some parents have two or three children. Imagine the cost for a single household," the Facebook post stated.

"Did the ministry introduce this rule, or is it the schools? If this is a ministry requirement, then we should stop saying Namibia has free education because this is no longer free education."

Makaula denied the claim, saying a fee of only N$10 was required.

"We are the only school accepting Grade 8 learners, and there is no way we can turn away any parent," he told Namibian Sun.

"The notices we distributed through social media and other channels clearly stated that parents are required to pay a non-refundable application fee of N$10."

"The N$300 is a voluntary contribution, and we have allowed parents room to negotiate," he added.

Voluntary

For others, the contribution does not pose a hurdle.

“We want the best for our children, and that's why we do not have an issue with paying the N$300 contribution,” said two parents on their way to hand in Grade 8 application forms at the school.

According to Makaula, 201 parents approached the school seeking enrolment for their children, and 201 application forms were issued.

"As of 25 June, we had received 91 completed forms and successfully processed them. No parent was turned away," he said.

Schools are legally permitted to charge a maximum of N$10 per application form to cover basic administrative and photocopying costs.

The fee is stipulated in the ministry's circular on admissions for the 2027 academic year, which allows government, private and subsidised schools to charge up to N$10 for admission forms.

Education minister Sanet Steenkamp has encouraged parents to report schools charging more than N$10 for application forms to the office of the regional director. The minister also advised parents facing financial difficulties to seek assistance from regional education offices.