Placement problems put 50 in a class
The regional director for education for the Ohangwena Region, Isak Hamatwi, has confirmed that they have squeezed Grade 11 learners into schools and have exceeded enrolment numbers.
He also revealed that the problem is not only affecting Grade 11 enrolment but also Grade 8 learners and Grade 10 repeaters.
As reported by Namibian Sun this week, the challenge is the direct result of the region's commendable Grade 10 performance in 2016. Hamatwi said the region promoted 3 154 learners to Grade 11, but only 2 750 learners will be admitted on the approved classroom-teacher ratio of one teacher per 40 learners (1:40).
This left 404 learners with no places, however, the region squeezed them into the already over-enrolled schools.
“After the first round of Grade 11 placement we found ourselves with 404 learners without places. We had no other option but to increase the teacher-learner ratio to 1:44, 1:45, 1:46 and up to 1:47 across secondary schools just to make sure that all learners get placed,” Hamatwi said.
He explained that even after adjusting the ratio, there were still 160 learners without places who were sent to Shituwa Senior Secondary School.
“We decided to place these 160 learners at Shituwa in addition to the school's 120 learners. The school has places but they were using three of their classrooms as sleeping space for Grade 11 and 12 learners. We have to convert these spaces into classrooms while we erect temporary structures using zinc to serve as temporary accommodation. Also remember that modern hostel facilities are under construction at Shituwa,” explained Hamatwi.
He also said the region is still battling to find a solution for hostel accommodation for another 40 learners studying at Ondobe Senior Secondary School, adding the authorities are also weighing options to solve the problem in 2018 and beyond.
“We are assessing this situation and one of the possible alternatives is to remove some of the Grade 8 learners from senior secondary schools. We are planning to dedicate 60% of our directorate's 2017/18 development budget for the construction of a fully-fledged junior secondary school in Eenhana town to house Grades 8 and 9 only so that Eenhana Senior Secondary and Haimbili Haufiku Senior Secondary will no longer have Grade 8 and 9 classes, but only 10, 11 and 12.”
Hamatwi said this is in line with ministry plans, which should be implemented by 2020. He also said all other senior secondary schools across the region will have one Grade 8, 9 and 10 classes in order to create enough spaces for Grade 11 learners.
Hamatwi said by yesterday, the region was also experiencing admission problems for Grade 8 learners and Grade 10 repeaters, while inspectors are busy assessing the Grade 1 admissions to see if there might be admission problems.
ILENI NANDJATO
He also revealed that the problem is not only affecting Grade 11 enrolment but also Grade 8 learners and Grade 10 repeaters.
As reported by Namibian Sun this week, the challenge is the direct result of the region's commendable Grade 10 performance in 2016. Hamatwi said the region promoted 3 154 learners to Grade 11, but only 2 750 learners will be admitted on the approved classroom-teacher ratio of one teacher per 40 learners (1:40).
This left 404 learners with no places, however, the region squeezed them into the already over-enrolled schools.
“After the first round of Grade 11 placement we found ourselves with 404 learners without places. We had no other option but to increase the teacher-learner ratio to 1:44, 1:45, 1:46 and up to 1:47 across secondary schools just to make sure that all learners get placed,” Hamatwi said.
He explained that even after adjusting the ratio, there were still 160 learners without places who were sent to Shituwa Senior Secondary School.
“We decided to place these 160 learners at Shituwa in addition to the school's 120 learners. The school has places but they were using three of their classrooms as sleeping space for Grade 11 and 12 learners. We have to convert these spaces into classrooms while we erect temporary structures using zinc to serve as temporary accommodation. Also remember that modern hostel facilities are under construction at Shituwa,” explained Hamatwi.
He also said the region is still battling to find a solution for hostel accommodation for another 40 learners studying at Ondobe Senior Secondary School, adding the authorities are also weighing options to solve the problem in 2018 and beyond.
“We are assessing this situation and one of the possible alternatives is to remove some of the Grade 8 learners from senior secondary schools. We are planning to dedicate 60% of our directorate's 2017/18 development budget for the construction of a fully-fledged junior secondary school in Eenhana town to house Grades 8 and 9 only so that Eenhana Senior Secondary and Haimbili Haufiku Senior Secondary will no longer have Grade 8 and 9 classes, but only 10, 11 and 12.”
Hamatwi said this is in line with ministry plans, which should be implemented by 2020. He also said all other senior secondary schools across the region will have one Grade 8, 9 and 10 classes in order to create enough spaces for Grade 11 learners.
Hamatwi said by yesterday, the region was also experiencing admission problems for Grade 8 learners and Grade 10 repeaters, while inspectors are busy assessing the Grade 1 admissions to see if there might be admission problems.
ILENI NANDJATO
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