Ohangwena: Only 20 schools have proper infrastructure
According to Ohangwena governor Walde Ndevashiya, more than 90% of schools in the region are likely in the same situation as Oshamukweni Combined School, which recently made headlines for its lack of housing and sanitation.
TUYEIMO HAIDULA
OSHAKATI
Of the 257 government schools in the Ohangwena Region, 237 are non-boarding schools, which means only 20 schools in the region have proper infrastructure.
This according to a statement by Ohangwena governor Walde Ndevashiya, who said all non-boarding schools have no hostel and are likely in the same situation as Oshamukweni Combined School, which recently made headlines for its lack of housing and sanitation.
Namibian Sun reported on 27 January that learners and teachers at Oshamukweni sleep on stick beds in corrugated iron shacks in filthy conditions, while they wait for good Samaritans to build them a hostel block as the region does not have a budget for it.
The almost 40-year-old school in the Okongo circuit is home to 313 learners from pre-primary level up to grade nine. Its grades four, five, six and seven and one grade eight class are taught in corrugated iron shacks, which were funded by parents due to lack of classrooms at the school.
Furthermore, some of the school’s chairs and tables are broken.
Not in good condition
Ohangwena education regional director Isak Hamatwi admitted that the school is not in “good condition”, and told Namibian Sun yesterday that Oshamukweni needs close to N$2 million for module hostels, with a minimum capacity of 150 beds, an equipped kitchen and a dining hall.
He said one module costs about N$350 000 to N$400 000, while two ablution facilities will cost N$500 000 to N$600 000.
In the statement, Ndevashiya said following media reports he undertook “a fact-finding mission” to the school on 3 February to meet the management of the school, staff and learners.
Speaking to Namibian Sun via a telephonic interview on Tuesday, he said: “My office was hard at work even before the media reported on the situation at the school, I had already started seeking assistance from various stakeholders and individuals”.
He also pointed out that he was aware of the situation as it had been brought to his office through a letter from the school management last July.
Making do
Principal Werner Nangolo told Namibian Sun last month that to ensure that learners do not arrive late to school, some parents have erected makeshift structures on school premises.
As it stands, learners bring their own foodstuffs provided by parents/guardians and prepare and cook their own food.
The school needs an additional administration block, five classrooms, one library, one science laboratory, one computer laboratory, five teachers’ apartments and one water reserve tank.
“The school is supplied with water from the nearby borehole, with the pipeline network connected to the school. However, during the interaction with the school management, they pointed out that the borehole sometimes gets out of order, affecting the water supply to the school,” Ndevashiya said.
- [email protected]
OSHAKATI
Of the 257 government schools in the Ohangwena Region, 237 are non-boarding schools, which means only 20 schools in the region have proper infrastructure.
This according to a statement by Ohangwena governor Walde Ndevashiya, who said all non-boarding schools have no hostel and are likely in the same situation as Oshamukweni Combined School, which recently made headlines for its lack of housing and sanitation.
Namibian Sun reported on 27 January that learners and teachers at Oshamukweni sleep on stick beds in corrugated iron shacks in filthy conditions, while they wait for good Samaritans to build them a hostel block as the region does not have a budget for it.
The almost 40-year-old school in the Okongo circuit is home to 313 learners from pre-primary level up to grade nine. Its grades four, five, six and seven and one grade eight class are taught in corrugated iron shacks, which were funded by parents due to lack of classrooms at the school.
Furthermore, some of the school’s chairs and tables are broken.
Not in good condition
Ohangwena education regional director Isak Hamatwi admitted that the school is not in “good condition”, and told Namibian Sun yesterday that Oshamukweni needs close to N$2 million for module hostels, with a minimum capacity of 150 beds, an equipped kitchen and a dining hall.
He said one module costs about N$350 000 to N$400 000, while two ablution facilities will cost N$500 000 to N$600 000.
In the statement, Ndevashiya said following media reports he undertook “a fact-finding mission” to the school on 3 February to meet the management of the school, staff and learners.
Speaking to Namibian Sun via a telephonic interview on Tuesday, he said: “My office was hard at work even before the media reported on the situation at the school, I had already started seeking assistance from various stakeholders and individuals”.
He also pointed out that he was aware of the situation as it had been brought to his office through a letter from the school management last July.
Making do
Principal Werner Nangolo told Namibian Sun last month that to ensure that learners do not arrive late to school, some parents have erected makeshift structures on school premises.
As it stands, learners bring their own foodstuffs provided by parents/guardians and prepare and cook their own food.
The school needs an additional administration block, five classrooms, one library, one science laboratory, one computer laboratory, five teachers’ apartments and one water reserve tank.
“The school is supplied with water from the nearby borehole, with the pipeline network connected to the school. However, during the interaction with the school management, they pointed out that the borehole sometimes gets out of order, affecting the water supply to the school,” Ndevashiya said.
- [email protected]
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