By William J. Mbangula
Onaushe
Orphans and vulnerable children at Onaushe Primary School, among them more than 20 San children, are not part of the school feeding scheme (SFS) because the officials concerned are reluctant to register them for charity assistance.
The concern was raised by the principal of the school Julius Imalwa last week. He was speaking at a public rally called to celebrate the Day of the Namibian child.
Speaking under the theme: “Right of children in education”, as enshrined in the Namibian constitution, Imalwa said there are problems when it comes to the provision of education to the children.
These problems pose a challenge and deny the right of children to education. The challenges are, amongst many others, the high dropout rate, high absenteeism, absence of punctuality, lack of concentration, high failure rate, increasing number of orphans and vulnerable children, low economic level of the community, the unemployment rate and low enrollment.
According to Imalwa, some possible identified causes are hunger, long distance (in some cases children travelling about 10 km), poor care by mostly people from low income families and orphans and vulnerable children.
Said Imalwa: “I am very much disturbed by the fact that despite having applied through the office of the inspector for our children to be included in the feeding scheme, our request is not granted. Other schools nearby such as Onanyalala and Eendjati are receiving such assistance but we are being discriminated against.”
Imalwa explained that his school of eight teachers and 219 learners (it has a capacity of 245 learners) was established in 1988 mainly to serve marginalised San children in the area.
He adds that he finds it strange that San children are being neglected with the full knowledge of the authorities. There are 16 000 orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) in the Oshana Region, who receive food grants and 11 000 receive financial assistance from the Government.
About 834 orphans and vulnerable children are in Uuvudhiya constituency, among them the 115 at Onaushe Primary School.
Responding to the complaints of the principal, Uuvudhiya Councillor Amutenya Ndahafa said he was not aware of the plight of the vulnerable children at Onaushe Primary School since nothing was reported to him. He assured the principal and the community that as soon as the complaint is reported to his office, he will take up the matter with the relevant authorities.
Ndahafa delivered the main speech of the day on behalf of the Minister of Gender Equality and Child Welfare Marlene Mungunda.
The minister urged parents to commit themselves to the creation of a safer environment where children can live in freedom and happiness.
The theme of her speech was: “Combat child trafficking”, which is the forceful removal of the child from his/her home or environment with the purpose to abuse, mistreat or exploit. The child is robbed his/her rights and the violation and severe abuse is committed against the child.
Mungunda noted: “Safety of our children should serve as the priority. The family is the primary unit and support structure that protects and offers safety for a child. It has a big role to play. It is within the family unit that a child is expected to experience a sense of belonging, acceptance, discipline, dignity, love and care. It is also within the safe home environment where children are taught about their responsibilities, their rights, value and morals. “