Rundu school runs without water and toilets since 2019
Ngcove Junior Primary School in Kavango East has been operating without water, toilets, or proper classrooms for six years, since it was officially registered.
Teachers and parents say the school, which serves more than 400 children from pre-primary to grade three, has been left to survive on its own while learners continue to study in unsafe and overcrowded conditions.
Principal Bernolda Kapunda told Network Media Hub (NMH) this week that Ngcove was registered in 2019 but never received a permanent building.
Instead, parents and teachers built temporary structures with money from school grants.
“Since its inception, the school has been without water. We bought a tank with our own grant money, but that is not enough. Hygiene is poor because more than 400 learners and 10 teachers are sharing only two pit latrines. It’s unhealthy. Even we as teachers share one toilet, male and female,” she said.
Taught under a tree
The principal added that Grade 1 children were initially taught under a tree until winter forced them into one classroom.
“Now there are about 92 learners with two teachers in a temporary structure. The learners sit on benches brought by parents. We spend grant money on repairing desks and chairs instead of learning materials. It is not how the funds are meant to be used, but we have no choice,” Kapunda said.
Grade 1 teacher Annelie Kapapelo, who spoke to Namibian Sun this week, also said parents are sacrificing to keep their children learning.
“Most of the benches are provided by parents. Many of these children are from the San community, some of whom do not have uniforms, documents, or even proper food.
Others stay home because they get sick easily in these conditions,” she explained.
Ngcove has 412 learners, including 89 San children.
Kapunda said these learners receive no direct support from the government, and the school relies heavily on the feeding programme to keep them in class.
“Learners eat under trees, surrounded by dust and waste. Rats are moving around the office, and even our files are at risk,” she said.
Procurement has started
Kavango East’s chief education planner Emilie Sintentu confirmed yesterday in a telephone interview that Ngcove has no permanent buildings.
She said a three-year decongestion plan includes construction at the school, but limited funds mean progress will be slow.
“We need at least 12 classrooms at Ngcove, but we cannot build them all at once. Procurement has started for an ablution block, and we will add classrooms gradually depending on the budget,” she said.
In April this year, Namibian Sun reported that regional education director Christine Shilima admitted that it could take more than five years to resolve the classroom crisis across Kavango East.
She said the shortage of facilities is long-standing, with many schools overcrowded and operating in unsafe conditions.
Kapunda said: “We are trying our best to teach, but without proper classrooms, toilets and water, it is a daily struggle,” Kapunda said.
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Teachers and parents say the school, which serves more than 400 children from pre-primary to grade three, has been left to survive on its own while learners continue to study in unsafe and overcrowded conditions.
Principal Bernolda Kapunda told Network Media Hub (NMH) this week that Ngcove was registered in 2019 but never received a permanent building.
Instead, parents and teachers built temporary structures with money from school grants.
“Since its inception, the school has been without water. We bought a tank with our own grant money, but that is not enough. Hygiene is poor because more than 400 learners and 10 teachers are sharing only two pit latrines. It’s unhealthy. Even we as teachers share one toilet, male and female,” she said.
Taught under a tree
The principal added that Grade 1 children were initially taught under a tree until winter forced them into one classroom.
“Now there are about 92 learners with two teachers in a temporary structure. The learners sit on benches brought by parents. We spend grant money on repairing desks and chairs instead of learning materials. It is not how the funds are meant to be used, but we have no choice,” Kapunda said.
Grade 1 teacher Annelie Kapapelo, who spoke to Namibian Sun this week, also said parents are sacrificing to keep their children learning.
“Most of the benches are provided by parents. Many of these children are from the San community, some of whom do not have uniforms, documents, or even proper food.
Others stay home because they get sick easily in these conditions,” she explained.
Ngcove has 412 learners, including 89 San children.
Kapunda said these learners receive no direct support from the government, and the school relies heavily on the feeding programme to keep them in class.
“Learners eat under trees, surrounded by dust and waste. Rats are moving around the office, and even our files are at risk,” she said.
Procurement has started
Kavango East’s chief education planner Emilie Sintentu confirmed yesterday in a telephone interview that Ngcove has no permanent buildings.
She said a three-year decongestion plan includes construction at the school, but limited funds mean progress will be slow.
“We need at least 12 classrooms at Ngcove, but we cannot build them all at once. Procurement has started for an ablution block, and we will add classrooms gradually depending on the budget,” she said.
In April this year, Namibian Sun reported that regional education director Christine Shilima admitted that it could take more than five years to resolve the classroom crisis across Kavango East.
She said the shortage of facilities is long-standing, with many schools overcrowded and operating in unsafe conditions.
Kapunda said: “We are trying our best to teach, but without proper classrooms, toilets and water, it is a daily struggle,” Kapunda said.
[email protected]
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