Oshamukweni learners sleep on stick beds

TUYEIMO HAIDULAOSHAKATIThe almost 40-year-old Oshamukweni Combined School in Okongo circuit, Ohangwena Region, does not have a school hostel and its pupils and teachers sleep in corrugated iron shacks.The school opened in 1978 at Oshamwukweni village, but because of the war it relocated to Oshalumbu village in 1982, where it is now. It is home to over 300 pupils from pre-primary level up to grade 9.Learners are taught in corrugated iron structures funded by the pupils’ parents because of a shortage of classrooms. Some of the classrooms have broken chairs and desks.The school does not offer running water in the shacks or any other facilities needed for good hygiene.The school principal, Werner Nangolo, told Namibian Sun that last year the school had 172 pupils who travelled more than 12 kilometres to school and another 12 back, which resulted in the parents deciding to have them accommodated in shacks on the school premises.Nangolo, who was appointed as principal early last year, said they also had over 100 grade nines who were camping at the school in 2020 because accommodation space ran out. “This is to prevent the 24 kilometres walking distance. Some are walking double this distance. They would be late for classes, others tired from the long walk to school, reducing their concentration in class. Some may even drop out because of the distance. The parents decided to erect the shacks for the children so they an live close to the school,” he said.Nangolo said the pupils who arrived at school on Monday were lucky to get second-hand mattresses that the school had received from Oshela Secondary School in the same circuit.“They made their beds from traditional sticks to place the mattresses on. I have written about 20 to 30 letters asking for support and donations from companies and individuals. If there is someone who can help us put up a proper structure for the learners,” he said.Lack of government fundsNangolo said former Ohangwena governor Usko Nghaamwa committed to assisting last year, but Covid-19 slowed down the talks with the philanthropic leader who is devoted to improving the living conditions of people in his region.He said the region does not have plans to build a hostel for the school, hence their proactive approach.ResultsDespite the challenges these teachers and pupils face, Nangolo said the school achieved a 79% pass rate last year. Previously, the school had a 100% grade ten pass from 2014 to 2018.“Teachers are committed and they are sleeping in corrugated iron like the pupils. We have two government flats which accommodate about five, but we have 16 teachers,” he said. tuyeimo@namibiansun.com

Oshamukweni learners sleep on stick beds

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-04

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Oshamukweni learners sleep on stick beds

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-04

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