Over 370 Grade 1 learners without placement at Walvis

Walvis Bay’s education system is under growing strain, with schools across the circuit operating at full capacity and at least 373 Grade 1 learners placed on a waiting list. With the academic year having kicked off this week, hundreds of children risk starting school late.According to Walvis Bay Circuit Education Inspector Theresia Goagoses, schools are full across all grades, forcing education authorities to introduce additional platoon groups and delay the start of classes for some learners.“We had a waiting list of 373 Grade 1 learners, which our office tried to place at different primary schools by increasing the number of platoon groups, including afternoon sessions,” Goagoses said.School principals have been urged to fast-track enrolment processes while the Regional Education Office advertises teacher posts to accommodate the additional learners. If appointments proceed as planned, affected students are expected to begin classes by 2 February 2026, unless alternative arrangements are made by school management.Strained infrastructureMost primary schools in the circuit have enrolments exceeding 1,300 learners, with the exception of JP Brand Primary School, which currently has 275 learners due to limited hostel space. Goagoses noted that demand for school placements continues to rise annually as families relocate to Walvis Bay in search of employment.While the construction of new schools remains a pressing need, Goagoses cautioned that infrastructure expansion alone will not resolve the enrolment crisis.“The ministry should, well in advance, build new schools and add classrooms at schools that still have available land on their premises, while gradually reducing the platoon system, which can be ineffective at times due to harsh weather conditions,” she said.Classroom challenges and social issuesSchools are also grappling with severe overcrowding, with some classrooms accommodating up to 54 learners due to a shortage of classrooms. Additional challenges include insufficient desks and chairs, shortages of textbooks, inadequate ablution facilities, a lack of cleaners, limited stationery supplies, and weak parental involvement.Goagoses also raised concern over rising disciplinary and social issues within schools, including alcohol and drug abuse and the increasing use of vapes among learners, which she says disrupt teaching and learning.Another concern highlighted is the automatic progression of learners to the next grade, commonly referred to by educators as a “Free Ticket to Dubai.” According to Goagoses, some learners repeatedly advance despite poor attendance and academic performance.“At some schools, learners were absent for more than 50 days, wrote no tests or tasks, and parents were uncooperative in most cases,” she said.Looking ahead to 2026, the Walvis Bay Circuit Office is calling on all education stakeholders—including parents, educators, and communities—to address disciplinary and social challenges that hinder effective teaching and learning.“Let us do things differently this year in order to expect different results,” Goagoses urged.

Over 370 Grade 1 learners without placement at Walvis

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Namibian Sun 2026-02-09

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Over 370 Grade 1 learners without placement at Walvis

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Namibian Sun 2026-02-09

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