Pit latrines, overcrowding undermine learner dignity, health in Kavango schools
Struggling and under-resourced schools across the Kavango regions are forcing learners and teachers to rely on pit latrines as their only form of sanitation, while hundreds of children share dilapidated classrooms already filled to capacity.
Namibian Sun observed the conditions during a tour of the Kavango West and East regions by the parliamentary standing committee on education, youth, civic relations and community development last week.
Following the visit, the committee acknowledged some positive aspects of the regional education system but noted that conditions in Kavango schools are hindering service delivery and violating learners’ dignity.
At Ngcove Junior Primary School in Ndama, Kavango East, more than 400 learners have relied on just two pit latrines in addition to a lack of running water since the school opened in 2019.
Principal Bernolda Munkanda said the situation has become "unbearable".
“Our classrooms are overcrowded; one classroom alone holds 92 children in a corrugated-iron structure. Many learners are falling sick because of the conditions, yet we have no choice but to continue teaching like this,” she said.
Ngcove is not an isolated case. Schools such as Mupapama Combined School, Tuhingireni Secondary School and Siguruguru Primary School also face dire conditions, with learners using broken or filled pit latrines while waiting for government interventions.
‘A very bad state’
Deputy chairperson of the committee, Austin Samupwa, said the conditions they observed were shocking and dangerous.
“The buildings leave a lot to be desired because there has been no single renovation since this school [Ngcove] was opened in 1967,” he said. “We have observed serious cracks that must be closed; otherwise, there is danger that something can befall the learners and teachers.”
He said the state of ablution blocks was especially concerning.
“We have also seen the ablution blocks, which are mainly composed of pit latrines. These pit latrines seem like they are already full, but they are still being used because the teachers and learners have no other choice."
He warned: "It is in a very bad state, and we need to attend to these schools very seriously.”
Budgeting and accountability
Samupwa added that unless the education budget is decentralised, schools in rural regions will continue to be neglected.
“The budget must be decentralised so that regional directorates, with the support of regional councils, can implement projects based on the money that has been appropriated in that particular year. That is our appeal,” he said.
For now, teachers and pupils continue to share overcrowded classrooms and pit latrines that pose health and safety risks.
The situation has left communities questioning how long children in the two Kavango regions will have to wait before they learn in safe and dignified environments.
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Namibian Sun observed the conditions during a tour of the Kavango West and East regions by the parliamentary standing committee on education, youth, civic relations and community development last week.
Following the visit, the committee acknowledged some positive aspects of the regional education system but noted that conditions in Kavango schools are hindering service delivery and violating learners’ dignity.
At Ngcove Junior Primary School in Ndama, Kavango East, more than 400 learners have relied on just two pit latrines in addition to a lack of running water since the school opened in 2019.
Principal Bernolda Munkanda said the situation has become "unbearable".
“Our classrooms are overcrowded; one classroom alone holds 92 children in a corrugated-iron structure. Many learners are falling sick because of the conditions, yet we have no choice but to continue teaching like this,” she said.
Ngcove is not an isolated case. Schools such as Mupapama Combined School, Tuhingireni Secondary School and Siguruguru Primary School also face dire conditions, with learners using broken or filled pit latrines while waiting for government interventions.
‘A very bad state’
Deputy chairperson of the committee, Austin Samupwa, said the conditions they observed were shocking and dangerous.
“The buildings leave a lot to be desired because there has been no single renovation since this school [Ngcove] was opened in 1967,” he said. “We have observed serious cracks that must be closed; otherwise, there is danger that something can befall the learners and teachers.”
He said the state of ablution blocks was especially concerning.
“We have also seen the ablution blocks, which are mainly composed of pit latrines. These pit latrines seem like they are already full, but they are still being used because the teachers and learners have no other choice."
He warned: "It is in a very bad state, and we need to attend to these schools very seriously.”
Budgeting and accountability
Samupwa added that unless the education budget is decentralised, schools in rural regions will continue to be neglected.
“The budget must be decentralised so that regional directorates, with the support of regional councils, can implement projects based on the money that has been appropriated in that particular year. That is our appeal,” he said.
For now, teachers and pupils continue to share overcrowded classrooms and pit latrines that pose health and safety risks.
The situation has left communities questioning how long children in the two Kavango regions will have to wait before they learn in safe and dignified environments.
[email protected]
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