Ongwediva
Concerned community members have expressed concern over the makeshift classrooms at Uutolo Combined School near Okahao in which their learners have been taught for over a decade now.
Uutolo has a population of 300 learners from Grade 1 to 8, of which Grade 1 to 3 are taught in the makeshift classrooms. The local community is now appealing to the regional education directorate to assist with proper structures in order to create a conducive learning environment for the learners.
“The classrooms are not fit for teaching. During winter our learners are exposed to chilly weather and during the rainy season it is the same thing. It seems nothing is ever going to be done, because it has been like that for over a decade,” said one parent.
School principal Elizabeth Iileka was not prepared to discuss the situation and instead referred New Era to the regional education directorate.
“We are not allowed to speak to the media,” she said.
Director of Education in the Omusati Region Labban Shapange briefly told New Era that they are in the process of making adjustments to reduce the number of makeshifts classrooms in the region.
Shapange, who was not in the office at the time of the interview, could not provide exact statistics of the number of classrooms under construction, but gave assurances that the region is in the process of addressing the problem.
He further explained that although the demand for classrooms in the region is quite high, classrooms cannot be built overnight nor can they start with construction at all the listed schools.
During a regional visit last year, Education, Arts and Culture Minister Katrina Hanse-Himarwa learnt that the region has 219 classrooms in the form of huts or shacks.
At the time of her visit Hanse-Himarwa was informed that the region would need about N$66 million to replace the makeshift classrooms. In addition, a further N$38.8 million is needed to acquire additional chairs and desks for both teachers and learners.