Omungwelume SS: Parents fund hostel
Parents whose children attend Omungwelume Secondary School continue to cater for the needs of the school hostel, with no assistance from the education ministry since its completion.
In 2019, now education minister Anna Nghipondoka - who was a deputy at the time - promised that once the hostel was completed, she would ensure that it was registered and assistance is provided by government.
Years later, this has not been done. The hostel remains unregistered after it was completed in 2020, leaving the school to source funds from friends of education to feed its 256 learners.
Principal George Nanghanda said they currently have challenges of no food, no cooking utensils such as pots, no stove and no firewood.
"We drive as far as the Omusati Region to fetch firewood as learners’ food is prepared on the fire outside a small corrugated shelter," he said.
Nanghanda added that the learners moved into the hostel in 2021 after parents and caregivers funded the hostel themselves.
Change is coming
Education director Isak Hamatwi said the situation will soon change as the ministry has budgeted to give the school a subsidy from 11 April for the purchasing of hostel food and the payment of workers.
He said the directorate will also make more than N$600 000 available to buy utensils.
"A contract has already been awarded, the tender for purchasing the needed utensils. We are only waiting for delivery," he said.
Hamatwi added that the school is expected to receive 30 tables and 60 brunch tables to cater to the learners.
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In 2019, now education minister Anna Nghipondoka - who was a deputy at the time - promised that once the hostel was completed, she would ensure that it was registered and assistance is provided by government.
Years later, this has not been done. The hostel remains unregistered after it was completed in 2020, leaving the school to source funds from friends of education to feed its 256 learners.
Principal George Nanghanda said they currently have challenges of no food, no cooking utensils such as pots, no stove and no firewood.
"We drive as far as the Omusati Region to fetch firewood as learners’ food is prepared on the fire outside a small corrugated shelter," he said.
Nanghanda added that the learners moved into the hostel in 2021 after parents and caregivers funded the hostel themselves.
Change is coming
Education director Isak Hamatwi said the situation will soon change as the ministry has budgeted to give the school a subsidy from 11 April for the purchasing of hostel food and the payment of workers.
He said the directorate will also make more than N$600 000 available to buy utensils.
"A contract has already been awarded, the tender for purchasing the needed utensils. We are only waiting for delivery," he said.
Hamatwi added that the school is expected to receive 30 tables and 60 brunch tables to cater to the learners.
- [email protected]
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