By Obrein Simasiku
WINDHOEK – More than 1 800 learners in the Khomas Region – mostly for grades 1 to 8 – had still not secured placements in schools as of Wednesday this week, prompting the regional education directorate to implement short, medium and long-term approaches to assist with placements.
According to the Khomas Regional Council public relations officer, Lydia Shifa, temporary structures, including tents, will be erected as classrooms in the short term until such time that brick and mortar classrooms are constructed.
In a statement, Shifa said existing temporary structures in the form of tents will be replaced by assembling prefabricated materials as part of the medium-term interventions. She added that some facilities such as drinking fountains, and ablution and administration blocks would either be added or expanded at these structures as need arises.
She reiterated that despite measures in place, the directorate of education is still faced with setbacks such as the downsizing of some classes, which has resulted in a reduction of intake at various schools while the high number of Grade 8 repeaters has also created another challenge as they take up more classrooms.
It is further noted that the high influx of learners from other regions due to the increase of job seekers and parents’ work transfers made it tougher for Khomas.
Currently, 1 187 learners for Grade 8 and 652 for Grade 1 were not yet placed as of Wednesday this week.
“These figures are expected to increase as more parents are still rushing to the directorate offices to register their children that have not secured admission at any of the schools in the region,” said Shifa.
She described the lack of secondary schools in the region, compared to primary schools, as being another problem, stating that there are only 47 government primary schools and 29 government high schools in Khomas, with Grade 8 learners the worst affected.
Moreover, the directorate of education is urging all parents who are still looking for Grade 8 places for their children to go to Immanuel Shifidi High School hall where they will be assisted by the officials of the directorate as from today until January 23 between 08h00 and 12h00 on weekdays. The same applies for Grade 1 learners who will be attended to at Soccer House in Katutura.