Rundu schools fear Covid-19 onslaught
A new school is being constructed in Ndama to ease the pressure on the overcrowded schools.
Kenya Kambowe
RUNDU
There are fears that overcrowded classrooms could threaten the safety of learners in Rundu, where some schools house as many as 90 in a single classroom.
While government last week announced that schools are now permitted to operate at full capacity, some educators in Rundu fear the decision will be a mountain to climb for schools at the town where pre-Covid 19 challenges of overcrowded classrooms are expected to continue.
According to Kavango East education director Fanuel Kapapero, the challenge reached crisis levels over the years.
“It’s not possible for all schools [to operate at full capacity]. We are still to discuss how we can implement that. Parents will be consulted. Schools like Sauyemwa, Ndama and many others are still overcrowded and that is the biggest challenge,” he said.
No space, no seating
Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, Namibian Sun reported that overcrowded classrooms are the order of the day at schools in Rundu. This despite most having applied a platoon system where a group attends classes in the morning and another has lessons during the afternoon.
Ndama Combined School at one point had 114 learners in one classroom, while a lack of furniture such as chairs forced learners to stand while being taught.
Last year when Namibian Sun visited the school, a grade six class at the school consisted of over 90 learners, despite the education ministry's staffing standard of one teacher per 30 pupils.
With the Covid-19 protocol calling on social distance of about 1.5 metres, this will be a daunting task for schools.
Meanwhile, Kapapero announced that a new school is being constructed in Ndama to ease the pressure on the overcrowded schools.
“It has a lot of classrooms,” he added.
[email protected]
RUNDU
There are fears that overcrowded classrooms could threaten the safety of learners in Rundu, where some schools house as many as 90 in a single classroom.
While government last week announced that schools are now permitted to operate at full capacity, some educators in Rundu fear the decision will be a mountain to climb for schools at the town where pre-Covid 19 challenges of overcrowded classrooms are expected to continue.
According to Kavango East education director Fanuel Kapapero, the challenge reached crisis levels over the years.
“It’s not possible for all schools [to operate at full capacity]. We are still to discuss how we can implement that. Parents will be consulted. Schools like Sauyemwa, Ndama and many others are still overcrowded and that is the biggest challenge,” he said.
No space, no seating
Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, Namibian Sun reported that overcrowded classrooms are the order of the day at schools in Rundu. This despite most having applied a platoon system where a group attends classes in the morning and another has lessons during the afternoon.
Ndama Combined School at one point had 114 learners in one classroom, while a lack of furniture such as chairs forced learners to stand while being taught.
Last year when Namibian Sun visited the school, a grade six class at the school consisted of over 90 learners, despite the education ministry's staffing standard of one teacher per 30 pupils.
With the Covid-19 protocol calling on social distance of about 1.5 metres, this will be a daunting task for schools.
Meanwhile, Kapapero announced that a new school is being constructed in Ndama to ease the pressure on the overcrowded schools.
“It has a lot of classrooms,” he added.
[email protected]
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