Govt wants schools to cough up MONEY
ILENI NANDJATO
ONDANGWA
The education ministry has directed regional directors to assess how many schools have money they're not using.
These schools are urged to donate funds to other schools struggling during the coronavirus lockdown period.
Ministry executive director Sanet Steenkamp said this is an unprecedented situation and resources must be wisely utilised.
Some schools have however indicated that despite receiving funds in January, their coffers are already empty.
Free education funds
While primary schools were meant to receive N$300 per pupil per semester and secondary schools N$400, the ministry only gave schools N$50 per pupil for the 2019 academic year.
“The money we were given in January was for the 2019 academic year and it is already finished because we used it for the 2019 needs. We had debts that we had to settle and also to refund teachers who have been using their own money to assist,” a source said.
“Our wish was for schools to assist teachers with data bundles to conduct their online teaching at their houses or transport costs to contribute to the development of teaching and learning packages, but we do not have anything.”
Unprecedented situation
Steenkamp said they do understand how schools have used up their money, but added there are schools with money available.
“Our instruction to the regional directors is very clear that they must conduct an assessment on the availability of funds in each and every school. A certain percentage of the available money in the region will be then used for the region,” she explained.
“We are dealing with an unprecedented situation and we need to look at our currently existing resources. We do not have fill in from the national budget yet and it is difficult for us to determine how much money we need to put into the region for preparedness.”
Sources have revealed that while some schools have money, it is not from the government.
“Schools raise money or get donations from parents, individuals or businesses for various reasons. The ministry cannot rely on such money,” the source said.
ONDANGWA
The education ministry has directed regional directors to assess how many schools have money they're not using.
These schools are urged to donate funds to other schools struggling during the coronavirus lockdown period.
Ministry executive director Sanet Steenkamp said this is an unprecedented situation and resources must be wisely utilised.
Some schools have however indicated that despite receiving funds in January, their coffers are already empty.
Free education funds
While primary schools were meant to receive N$300 per pupil per semester and secondary schools N$400, the ministry only gave schools N$50 per pupil for the 2019 academic year.
“The money we were given in January was for the 2019 academic year and it is already finished because we used it for the 2019 needs. We had debts that we had to settle and also to refund teachers who have been using their own money to assist,” a source said.
“Our wish was for schools to assist teachers with data bundles to conduct their online teaching at their houses or transport costs to contribute to the development of teaching and learning packages, but we do not have anything.”
Unprecedented situation
Steenkamp said they do understand how schools have used up their money, but added there are schools with money available.
“Our instruction to the regional directors is very clear that they must conduct an assessment on the availability of funds in each and every school. A certain percentage of the available money in the region will be then used for the region,” she explained.
“We are dealing with an unprecedented situation and we need to look at our currently existing resources. We do not have fill in from the national budget yet and it is difficult for us to determine how much money we need to put into the region for preparedness.”
Sources have revealed that while some schools have money, it is not from the government.
“Schools raise money or get donations from parents, individuals or businesses for various reasons. The ministry cannot rely on such money,” the source said.
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