Private schools on chopping block

Private schools that were given charitable status in return for providing education to orphans and vulnerable children have been given until 31 October to make written submissions to the minister of education and give reasons why the subsidy cannot be reduced or terminated.

Education minister Katrina Hanse-Himarwa on 8 August wrote to the owners of private schools, informing them that the government was reviewing its subsidy allocations to these schools.

“Private schools are herewith given three months ending 31 October 2017 to make written submissions and representations to the minister giving reasons why the aid that was granted to private schools cannot be reduced or terminated. Each private school should make its own representation and lodge it with the minister or before 31 October 2017,” she wrote.

School funding is in turmoil, with the ministry of education grappling with deep budget cuts owing to the financial crisis in the country, which has seen the authorities embarking on unprecedented cost-cutting measures.

The minister recently warned during the State of Education address that the ministry would be forced to review private-school subsidies, which many fear may lead to the independent schools closing down or sharply increasing fees.

According to the arrangement in place, private schools are allocated funds by the government as prescribed in the Education Act of 2001.

This is, however, at the discretion of the minister, who also has the power to terminate such aid provided that affected schools have been given an opportunity to make representations. Eligible schools are required to enrol at least 10% of pupils from very poor backgrounds on a full scholarship.



The managing director of Windhoek Gymnasium, Colette Rieckert, yesterday said it would be a sad day if the government decided to terminate the aid given to her school to fund the education of 157 learners from poor families.



“It will be a sad day for us. This will force us to increase our school fees to make up for that loss. This will mean that we will lose learners because we already have many who are struggling to pay their school fees,” she said.



She warned that the termination of the subsidy might eventually become a government problem, as the affected learners' education programme might be disrupted.



She said her school was yet to receive the government aid this year. She confirmed that they had received about N$700 000 per term from the education ministry last year.



“We take a substantial loss because we feel it is part of our contribution. We relied on this money to help the previously disadvantaged learners. However, we also respect the responsibility of the government,” she said.

Another principal told Namibian Sun that the future of many private schools would be uncertain if the government decided to scrap the aid given to poor learners.

“But again if they stop the funding many private schools will either close or increase their fees. Like in our case, the learners' hostel fees are not enough to cover all expenses,” said the headmaster, who requested anonymity.

Emma Kakona, Amazing Kids Private School founder, recently told a weekly newspaper that the school would struggle to retain some of its learners should the government scrap the subsidy.

“Even though the amount they were providing was just a drop in the ocean, it helped to some extent, but it will mean some of these schools might decide not to carry that cost and let them go,” Kakona was quoted as saying in the Windhoek Observer.

Attempts to clarify the matter with the education ministry proved futile as they failed to respond to Namibian Sun's questions yesterday.





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