Over 100 Oshikunde learners barefoot
Enzo AmueleOndangwaA significant number of learners at Oshikunde Combined School in the Ohangwena Region’s Oshikunde constituency live in squalor, with many attending school barefoot while others sport torn uniforms that expose their private parts.Authorities in the area confirmed that the constituency is among the poorest in the region, with thousands of residents without the national identity documents required to register for state social grants, including the old-age pension.
Last week, Namibian Sun reported that a grade five learner walks about five kilometres to and from school every day.
This situation is no different from 105 other learners who do not have shoes at all, or are forced to don worn-out shoes.
Principal Hoster Simasiku said the learners walk long distances and they constantly have an issue of learners coming late. Parents face huge financial challenges and cannot afford to take care of their children, he said.
“Most learners live with their grandparents who do not get social grants because they do not have birth certificates and other necessary documents.”
Simasiku added that the issue was raised with parents, but they “tend to neglect it” while the learners continue to suffer.
Despite these challenges, teachers do their best and “most of the time go beyond what is expected of them” to ensure quality education, he said.
Parents to blame
“Some parents send the learners to school during winter with a vest and some come with uniform which exposes their private parts,” Simasiku added.
He confirmed that the office of regional governor Walde Ndevashiya called the school to enquire about the number of learners with no shoes. He further said they have met with officials from the ministry of gender and child welfare to find an amicable solution.
Situated about 55km from Eehnana, the school is home to 897 learners from pre-primary to grade 12, of which 266 are accommodated in the hostel - which is full to its maximum capacity.
Poor background
Constituency councillor Lonia Shinana said her office is aware of the situation.
“It’s true, learners from this school come from a poor background and their parents are unemployed.”
She also confirmed that there are over 2 000 inhabitants without national documents in her constituency.
“A data [collection] was conducted, and these names were submitted to the relevant ministry, but we did not get any feedback as of yet,” she said.
Her office has on numerous occasions engaged authorities for learners to be assisted, but nothing was done, she said.
Shinana called on stakeholders and government to assist the learners.
“Any assistance we can get from anyone will be appreciated.”
Last week, Namibian Sun reported that a grade five learner walks about five kilometres to and from school every day.
This situation is no different from 105 other learners who do not have shoes at all, or are forced to don worn-out shoes.
Principal Hoster Simasiku said the learners walk long distances and they constantly have an issue of learners coming late. Parents face huge financial challenges and cannot afford to take care of their children, he said.
“Most learners live with their grandparents who do not get social grants because they do not have birth certificates and other necessary documents.”
Simasiku added that the issue was raised with parents, but they “tend to neglect it” while the learners continue to suffer.
Despite these challenges, teachers do their best and “most of the time go beyond what is expected of them” to ensure quality education, he said.
Parents to blame
“Some parents send the learners to school during winter with a vest and some come with uniform which exposes their private parts,” Simasiku added.
He confirmed that the office of regional governor Walde Ndevashiya called the school to enquire about the number of learners with no shoes. He further said they have met with officials from the ministry of gender and child welfare to find an amicable solution.
Situated about 55km from Eehnana, the school is home to 897 learners from pre-primary to grade 12, of which 266 are accommodated in the hostel - which is full to its maximum capacity.
Poor background
Constituency councillor Lonia Shinana said her office is aware of the situation.
“It’s true, learners from this school come from a poor background and their parents are unemployed.”
She also confirmed that there are over 2 000 inhabitants without national documents in her constituency.
“A data [collection] was conducted, and these names were submitted to the relevant ministry, but we did not get any feedback as of yet,” she said.
Her office has on numerous occasions engaged authorities for learners to be assisted, but nothing was done, she said.
Shinana called on stakeholders and government to assist the learners.
“Any assistance we can get from anyone will be appreciated.”
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