Sawi Hausiku 

RUNDU – About 100 learners were reportedly sent home from Joy Mungungu Senior Primary School in Rundu’s Tumweneni informal settlement during registration last week after their parents failed to pay contributions to the School Development Fund (SDF). 

The move sparked protests by parents at the school on Monday. 

One of the affected parents, Maria Kayana, said her child was among those sent home during registration. 

“My child was sent home because I could not pay the N$210 SDF contribution, which I do not have at the moment. I asked if I could be given until the end of the week to pay, but I was told they would rather enrol a learner whose parents can afford to pay,” she said. 

Another parent, speaking on condition of anonymity, noted that all five of his children were sent home due to his inability to pay the required fees. 

Kavango East director of education, Christine Shilima, explained that the school board had decided to raise funds by way of SDF fees for temporary classrooms to alleviate overcrowding caused by high enrolment. She confirmed that learners were turned away at registration points but said she has since intervened and learners were expected to return to school yesterday. 

Shilima further defended the school board’s urgency in building additional classrooms, saying the area is unsafe for learners attending afternoon classes and many face harassment by criminals while going home. -Nampa