The reopening of schools in Namibia every January is often treated as if it were an unexpected event. 

Year after year, the same scenes play out: parents scrambling for stationery, uniforms bought at the last minute, learners reporting without basic materials, and teachers forced to improvise. 

Yet, back-to-school is not a surprise. 

It is a predictable, annual occurrence that demands planning, coordination and shared responsibility.

Parents know very well that their children return to school in January. It is not a new experience, nor is it a once-off event. Treating it like a crisis reflects a deeper problem of poor planning at both household and institutional levels. Instead of anticipation and preparation, there is panic — and learners are the ones who ultimately pay the price.

Schools, too, must shoulder part of the responsibility. Many only issue stationery lists in January, leaving parents with little time to prepare. 

This practice places unnecessary pressure on families, particularly those already stretched by festive season expenses. By the time January arrives, many households are still recovering financially, having used December salaries on celebrations, travel and extended family obligations. 

Expecting parents to suddenly produce large sums for school requirements at this point is not a well placed thought. This lack of advance communication also affects teachers. When learners arrive without notebooks, pens or textbooks, teaching becomes difficult. In many cases, committed teachers who a equally going through the Januworry woes, dip into their own pockets to ensure that learning continues. While commendable, this should not be normalised. Teachers are professionals tasked with educating, not subsidising, learners.

For years, school management has argued that delays in government funding prevent timely procurement of stationery. 

That excuse is wearing thin. The stationery support programme has been in place long enough to be treated as a continuous cycle rather than a once-off intervention. Schools receive these funds annually, which means proper financial planning should be the norm. 

A month in which such funds are released from central government should no longer be a factor.

Forward-thinking management would use current funds to prepare for the following academic year. Stationery procurement should begin as early as August or September, with stocktaking done to assess deficits. By October, schools should already be communicating clearly with parents, sharing stationery lists and outlining what will be provided by the school and what parents need to supplement. This approach would ease pressure, spread costs over several months, and ensure learners are fully equipped on day one.

However, parents cannot absolve themselves of responsibility by blaming schools alone. A parent knows whether a child will return to school next year, whether they will be in a hostel, and what basic needs will be required. Waiting for January — or for a school circular — is a risky and avoidable choice.

Parents, especially those in formal employment, should create dedicated “back-to-school” accounts for their children. Even small monthly savings throughout the year can make a significant difference. Buying basic items such as notebooks, pens, toiletries and school shoes gradually reduces the January burden. Crucially, December salaries should not be budgeted for back-to-school expenses. 

Most Namibians are paid early in December, spend heavily on festivities, and then face a long, financially draining January. 

Adding school expenses to that mix is a recipe for stress and debt.

Back-to-school should be a structured, predictable process — not an annual emergency. 

It requires planning by schools, discipline by parents, and accountability from education authorities. 

Most importantly, it requires a shift in mindset. Education is not the responsibility of one party; it is a collective obligation.

When learners arrive prepared, teachers can teach effectively, parents feel less financial strain, and schools function smoothly. Ultimately, a well-planned start to the school year sets the tone for academic success. 

Let us move away from last-minute panic and towards a culture of foresight, responsibility and shared commitment — for the sake of our children and the future of education in Namibia.