School feeding programme under pressure

Rising maize prices are hampering the purchase of sufficient supplies for the critically important school feeding programme, according to the education ministry.In response to questions about education struggles troubling many marginalised communities in Namibia, the ministry explained that tenders for the school feeding programme are awarded by the Central Procurement Board of Namibia (CPBN).“There are many complexities involved in the procurement and delivery of school feeding [programmes]. The major challenge currently facing the programme is the inability of service providers to obtain maize. At the time of the tender, the market price for maize was significantly different, and there has been a massive price increase,” the office of the ministry’s executive director confirmed last week.According to the executive director’s office, the ministry is working with the CPBN to find a solution to the problem.No exclusionsThe ministry, meanwhile, insisted that no learners should be turned away from schools due to parents being unable to afford school fees, textbooks, stationery or uniforms. This issue was recently highlighted in a report by the parliamentary standing committee on constitutional and legal affairs, which examined government interventions to improve conditions for marginalised communities.The committee, which tabled the report in parliament, visited the regions of Omusati, Kunene, Ohangwena, Oshana, Oshikoto, Otjozondjupa, Omaheke, Zambezi, Kavango East, and Kavango West in 2023. The focus was on the living conditions of the San, Ovatue, Ovatjimba, and Ovazemba communities.According to the ministry, a universal primary education grant has covered school fees for primary schools since 2013, and a similar measure was introduced for secondary schools in 2016.“This means that no learner can be denied access to education due to an inability to pay school fees. Schools may request parental contributions for maintenance, but learners whose parents cannot afford these contributions cannot be turned away."The ministry noted that parents are encouraged to make voluntary contributions to schools if they are able to do so.“The education grant provides for the procurement of stationery, and regions receive an annual budget for acquiring textbooks and stationery,” the ministry emphasised.Additionally, an education development fund is available to assist in covering the cost of school uniforms for marginalised learners when schools apply for support."If there are any cases where learners are turned away due to an inability to pay, this must be reported immediately to the regional office, which will resolve the situation," the office of the executive director said.Improvements underway The ministry also encouraged parents to seek support from the gender equality, poverty eradication, and social welfare ministry for financial assistance, transport, and access to education for members of marginalised communities. Learners who cannot afford hostel fees are encouraged to apply for an exemption through the relevant school board. Additionally, the education ministry provides N$22 per child per day for the accommodation of learners in community hostels.Over the past year, the ministry has built two hostels, with further expansions planned over the next five years. Construction is ongoing for hostels at Pendukeni I Ithana Secondary School, Onkumbula Combined School, Schuckmansburg (Phase Two), and Ndoro. Schools in Drimiopsis, Otjivanda, Aussenkehr, Bravel, Onamutayi and Nkurenkuru are also included in plans to expand hostel facilities.At eight early childhood development centres, teacher salaries remain the responsibility of the social welfare ministry, according to the education ministry. However, the ministries are working together to transfer early childhood development responsibilities to the education ministry. Furthermore, schools should not exclude learners who do not have identity documents. Instead, sworn statements from traditional leaders or religious figures can be used to verify a child's age. Schools must then assist learners in obtaining identity documents by the end of primary school.

School feeding programme under pressure

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Namibian Sun 2025-03-12

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School feeding programme under pressure

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Namibian Sun 2025-03-12

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