Nearly 1 000 Rundu kids still without school
Tents available but no furniture or teachers
Parents are up in arms after their children missed over two weeks of schooling due to a lack of space in the riverside town's schools.
Close to 1 000 learners in Rundu have missed out on two weeks of schooling as there are no space for them at already overcrowded schools.
Yesterday, the learners along with their parents and guardians visited the Rundu circuit office to enquire on the ministry’s progress in terms of addressing the issue.
Two weeks ago, it was reported that tents would be availed and turned into classrooms; however, yesterday, parents said that promise has not been kept - which prompted their decision to visit the circuit office to mount pressure.
After failing to secure a positive response, the disgruntled parents led their children to the Rundu Police Station to find out how to stage a peaceful demonstration.
“All this could have been avoided if they kept their promise of getting the tents and for our children to be taught. We are fed up and we are left with no option but to stage a peaceful demonstration so that they see how this is a burden to us,” one parent said.
‘We are tired’
“Other people’s children are at school while ours are missing out.
"At the end of the year when our children don’t perform well, it will be said our children are not being disciplined and are not studying at home, but they are the ones delaying our children from attending school," another parent fumed.
“We are tired. What we want is for our children to attend school. This government apparently does not have money to build schools, but we are reading about millions being spent to buy condoms.
"Are we prioritising sex over education? What happened to 'education is the key to success'?”
Give us time
When contacted for comment, Kavango East education director Fanuel Kapapero said they received tents from the Office of the Prime Minister, but they need at least this week to fully set them up. They also need time to sort out school furniture, security and teaching staff, he said.
According to him, by Monday, things should be up and running.
For years, Namibian Sun has reported on the lack of schools in Rundu, which has created a situation where classrooms at some schools are bursting at the seams with up to 100 learners each.
Kapapero is on record calling upon government to construct more schools as the population of the riverside town continues to grow.
[email protected]
Yesterday, the learners along with their parents and guardians visited the Rundu circuit office to enquire on the ministry’s progress in terms of addressing the issue.
Two weeks ago, it was reported that tents would be availed and turned into classrooms; however, yesterday, parents said that promise has not been kept - which prompted their decision to visit the circuit office to mount pressure.
After failing to secure a positive response, the disgruntled parents led their children to the Rundu Police Station to find out how to stage a peaceful demonstration.
“All this could have been avoided if they kept their promise of getting the tents and for our children to be taught. We are fed up and we are left with no option but to stage a peaceful demonstration so that they see how this is a burden to us,” one parent said.
‘We are tired’
“Other people’s children are at school while ours are missing out.
"At the end of the year when our children don’t perform well, it will be said our children are not being disciplined and are not studying at home, but they are the ones delaying our children from attending school," another parent fumed.
“We are tired. What we want is for our children to attend school. This government apparently does not have money to build schools, but we are reading about millions being spent to buy condoms.
"Are we prioritising sex over education? What happened to 'education is the key to success'?”
Give us time
When contacted for comment, Kavango East education director Fanuel Kapapero said they received tents from the Office of the Prime Minister, but they need at least this week to fully set them up. They also need time to sort out school furniture, security and teaching staff, he said.
According to him, by Monday, things should be up and running.
For years, Namibian Sun has reported on the lack of schools in Rundu, which has created a situation where classrooms at some schools are bursting at the seams with up to 100 learners each.
Kapapero is on record calling upon government to construct more schools as the population of the riverside town continues to grow.
[email protected]
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