N$2.3 billion needed for classrooms
Shortage of 4 479 classrooms countrywide
Government slammed over dilapidated condition of schools and hostels.
The basic education ministry is grappling with a severe shortage of 4 479 classrooms which would cost about N$2.3 billion to construct, however the ministry’s development budget for the current financial year stands at a meagre N$398 million.
This follows news of learners in some regions receiving their education while sitting on the floor because of a lack of resources, while in other parts of the country learners are bringing their own chairs to school.
According to education minister Anna Nghipondoka, construction of schools is not a one-off process but a continuous process depending on regional needs, and the ministry has prioritised regions or schools that are in dire need.
The minister found herself cornered in parliament last week when confronted by Swapo backbencher Patience Masua and opposition members about the dilapidated condition of schools and hostels around the country.
Masua was particularly upset about the fact that the ministry last month dismissed pictures of a rundown hostel without mattresses at Otjerunda Combined School in the Kunene Region.
The ministry made a quick U-turn and confirmed that mattresses and beds had indeed been procured for the school.
Dire straits
Nghipondoka told parliament last week that her ministry had built 14 schools nationwide between 2014 and 2021, at a cost of N$749 million.
“It is worth mentioning that the development budget has been reducing for the past three years, thus making it difficult for the ministry to meet its infrastructural needs.
‘With regard to the renovation of existing school infrastructure, four major renovations were completed during the period 2015-2021 at a cost of N$367.59 million.
“Also, we have major school and hostel renovations ongoing nationwide, which include Andimba Toivo ya Toivo, Caprivi Secondary School, Linus Hashipapo School, Oniipa Secondary School, Ernst Meyer Primary school, Epukiro Pos 3 Junior Secondary School, Onesi Secondary School, Ashipala School, Nehale School, Ongha School, Augustineum, Himarwa Ithete, Omuhonga , Braunfels Agricultural School, Dibasen , Andara , Lordsville and Ernst Jager,” she said.
[email protected]
This follows news of learners in some regions receiving their education while sitting on the floor because of a lack of resources, while in other parts of the country learners are bringing their own chairs to school.
According to education minister Anna Nghipondoka, construction of schools is not a one-off process but a continuous process depending on regional needs, and the ministry has prioritised regions or schools that are in dire need.
The minister found herself cornered in parliament last week when confronted by Swapo backbencher Patience Masua and opposition members about the dilapidated condition of schools and hostels around the country.
Masua was particularly upset about the fact that the ministry last month dismissed pictures of a rundown hostel without mattresses at Otjerunda Combined School in the Kunene Region.
The ministry made a quick U-turn and confirmed that mattresses and beds had indeed been procured for the school.
Dire straits
Nghipondoka told parliament last week that her ministry had built 14 schools nationwide between 2014 and 2021, at a cost of N$749 million.
“It is worth mentioning that the development budget has been reducing for the past three years, thus making it difficult for the ministry to meet its infrastructural needs.
‘With regard to the renovation of existing school infrastructure, four major renovations were completed during the period 2015-2021 at a cost of N$367.59 million.
“Also, we have major school and hostel renovations ongoing nationwide, which include Andimba Toivo ya Toivo, Caprivi Secondary School, Linus Hashipapo School, Oniipa Secondary School, Ernst Meyer Primary school, Epukiro Pos 3 Junior Secondary School, Onesi Secondary School, Ashipala School, Nehale School, Ongha School, Augustineum, Himarwa Ithete, Omuhonga , Braunfels Agricultural School, Dibasen , Andara , Lordsville and Ernst Jager,” she said.
[email protected]
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