Ester Hakaala
Paulus Shiku
Learners at Reverend Selma Kawiiwa Primary School in Omutwewondjamba village in the Ohangwena region are facing difficult learning conditions, with some forced to attend lessons in an ageing tent that frequently collapses in windy weather.
Among those affected are 35 Grade 6 learners, who sometimes have to attend lessons under trees when the tent cannot be used.
The school, situated in the Eenhana Circuit, has 533 learners across 15 class groups, but only six groups are accommodated in permanent classrooms, leaving the remaining learners to attend lessons in temporary structures, including shacks and a deteriorating tent.
Seeking help and a way to reach Good Samaritans and those with the means, they reached out to our publication.
Acting school principal Ndeunyema Naftal told New Era that the school has two permanent classroom blocks, one with two classrooms and another with four, which are insufficient to accommodate all learners.
The tent, provided by the ministry of education, has been in use for more than two years and is no longer safe for lessons.
“Every time there is wind, it will always fall,” Naftal said.
The situation raises safety concerns for learners and disrupts teaching, especially during adverse weather. Teachers sometimes have to move learners to other classrooms when the tent becomes unsafe.
“During the rainy season, the lessons are completely affected and sometimes we could not do anything. For the safety of the learners, we tend to send them to other classes,” he said.
Despite approaching education authorities for assistance, the school has yet to secure a permanent solution to the classroom shortage.
Naftal said the regional education directorate and other relevant offices had been informed about the situation. However, the school was told that funding was currently unavailable.
Afforded a chance to give a high authority voice, education director for Ohangwena Isak Hamatwi acknowledged the situation at the school.
He however said the problem is bigger than that as this is not the only school facing classrooms shortage in his region.
“We do not have money and if we get money, I doubt that specific school will be a priority, there is just so many of them.”
He said the shortage of classrooms in that region is a serious problem.
“90% of our schools each need an extra class or two. I do not have the statistics right here, but it is there,” the education director said. The school has since relied on community support and its limited finances in an effort to improve the learning environment.
It received N$5 000 from the First National Bank (FNB) through its namesake, Reverend Selma Kawiiwa and a further N$1 000 from the Eenhana Circuit office to help construct an additional temporary classroom.
However, the funds were only enough to purchase roofing materials, leaving the school unable to complete the structure.
The school is now seeking additional financial assistance to buy the remaining construction materials and make the classroom usable.
Naftal appealed for further support to address the shortage of classrooms and ensure that learners have access to a safer and more suitable learning environment.
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