Unfit and disgusting
Linus Shashipapo Secondary School principal Faustinus Shikukutu says they are still waiting for a promised government intervention to renovate the school at a cost of about N$100 million.
Shikukutu said the deputy minister of basic education, Anna Nghipondoka, visited the school in March and left feeling sorry for the learners and teachers.
“She insisted that we go have a look at where I stay and I remember her saying that she visited a number of dilapidated schools, but this one is just too much,” he said.
“When we went with her to the girls' hostel block she remarked that being a mother, she would not allow her daughter to sleep in this block. After that she encouraged us to persevere and said that when she went back to the minister she would share what she saw, so our situation could be addressed,” Shikukutu said.
Established in 1974, the school is one of the oldest in the Kavango East Region and its infrastructure is in a sorry state.
Classroom ceilings appear to be ready to collapse at any time, while there are massive cracks in the walls. Roofing has also blown off and remains unrepaired since 2015.
The school, which accommodates 630 learners, is also faced with an inadequate number of classrooms and teachers.
The hostel has an unbearable smell. This is what the 480 hostel occupants have to endure on a daily basis.
The teacher houses are in a dire state and health officials have declared them inhumane and unfit to live in.
Linus Shashipapo Secondary School has a rich history, as a number of cabinet ministers, politicians and well-known businessmen and women have been taught in its classrooms.
The current situation at the school saw learners holding a demonstration in January 2017.
“After the demonstration, the regional council tried their level best to get money for various tenders to get the minor issues fixed and those were fixed successfully. However, we are still faced with a lot of challenges,” Shikukutu said.
He explained that in 2015, surveyors visited the school and it was determined that government would have to fork out about N$150 million for renovations.
Shikukutu said in April the surveyors returned and brought down the renovation costs to N$100 million, after removing some elements.
Renovations were apparently expected to start in August.
Shikukutu said it will be a challenge next year, because the number of learners is expected to increase from 630 to 900.
“Next year will be a challenge for us, because the classrooms are not enough for the current intake.”
Shikukutu said he was informed they would be offered tents to teach in.
He said last year only seven grade 12 learners who wrote the grade 12 national examinations managed to qualify for university, while only 37% of the 90 learners who sat for the national grade 10 examinations passed.
When contacted for comment, Kavango education director Fanuel Kapapero said it was unfortunate that the renovation project had not started yet.
“We expected that it would be implemented between April and now, but this has not happened,” Kapapero said.
He said the funds for the project would come from the African Development Bank (AfDB) and that the tender process would take a bit longer because of the bank's requirements.
He assured Namibian Sun that once all the necessary requirements were completed, the project would start.
KENYA KAMBOWE
Shikukutu said the deputy minister of basic education, Anna Nghipondoka, visited the school in March and left feeling sorry for the learners and teachers.
“She insisted that we go have a look at where I stay and I remember her saying that she visited a number of dilapidated schools, but this one is just too much,” he said.
“When we went with her to the girls' hostel block she remarked that being a mother, she would not allow her daughter to sleep in this block. After that she encouraged us to persevere and said that when she went back to the minister she would share what she saw, so our situation could be addressed,” Shikukutu said.
Established in 1974, the school is one of the oldest in the Kavango East Region and its infrastructure is in a sorry state.
Classroom ceilings appear to be ready to collapse at any time, while there are massive cracks in the walls. Roofing has also blown off and remains unrepaired since 2015.
The school, which accommodates 630 learners, is also faced with an inadequate number of classrooms and teachers.
The hostel has an unbearable smell. This is what the 480 hostel occupants have to endure on a daily basis.
The teacher houses are in a dire state and health officials have declared them inhumane and unfit to live in.
Linus Shashipapo Secondary School has a rich history, as a number of cabinet ministers, politicians and well-known businessmen and women have been taught in its classrooms.
The current situation at the school saw learners holding a demonstration in January 2017.
“After the demonstration, the regional council tried their level best to get money for various tenders to get the minor issues fixed and those were fixed successfully. However, we are still faced with a lot of challenges,” Shikukutu said.
He explained that in 2015, surveyors visited the school and it was determined that government would have to fork out about N$150 million for renovations.
Shikukutu said in April the surveyors returned and brought down the renovation costs to N$100 million, after removing some elements.
Renovations were apparently expected to start in August.
Shikukutu said it will be a challenge next year, because the number of learners is expected to increase from 630 to 900.
“Next year will be a challenge for us, because the classrooms are not enough for the current intake.”
Shikukutu said he was informed they would be offered tents to teach in.
He said last year only seven grade 12 learners who wrote the grade 12 national examinations managed to qualify for university, while only 37% of the 90 learners who sat for the national grade 10 examinations passed.
When contacted for comment, Kavango education director Fanuel Kapapero said it was unfortunate that the renovation project had not started yet.
“We expected that it would be implemented between April and now, but this has not happened,” Kapapero said.
He said the funds for the project would come from the African Development Bank (AfDB) and that the tender process would take a bit longer because of the bank's requirements.
He assured Namibian Sun that once all the necessary requirements were completed, the project would start.
KENYA KAMBOWE
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