By Lize Kubersky WINDHOEK Khomastura is the perfect name for a school catering for the educational needs of Khomasdal and Katutura youths, which has generated huge interest from learners who fail in the formal education system. According to Principal John Adams, formerly the Head of Department at Hage Geingob School, Khomastura was opened in February 2005 when poor performers and regionally transferred students began receiving lessons at the Teacher’s Resource Centre in Windhoek. “When the Regional Offices proposed an initiative to open a school for transferred learners, I volunteered immediately because I saw myself as an instrument for the task of forming a new school that addresses the major problem of transferred scholars,” said Adams. “Other [contributing] factors that pulled scholars to the project were late registrations, urbanisation and failures. The ‘Grysblok’ project took a step further in February 2006, with classes being given from 13h00 to 18h00 at Khomas Primary School. The most step of implementing the project happened in October 2006 when the construction of the school building was completed and commissioned,” Adams said. Adams said the project started with only Grade 8 learners and has progressed over the past two years into a JSC centre, with the first Grade 10 learners attending this year. The school currently has 547 learners. Last year Khomastura, situated opposite Ella Du Plessis in Khomasdahl caters for eight Grade 8 and0 four Grade 9 classes. With approximately 40 students per class at the moment, Adams said the school anticipates to take in Grades 11 and 12 in 2009. “Schools are filled to capacity. By building new schools, by adding classes to already existing schools, we increase in capacity and allow more learners the right of education. Limited space is one problem,” said Adams. Taking in the learners from Goreangab Dam and even further, Adams acknowledges that most parents are unable to be involved in the educational career of their children. “Concerned parents are willing to listen and be informed on how to assist their children in the best a most effective way,” he said. The school has an urgent need for a laboratory now that JSC has been introduced. “We aim to invite people from welfare institutions to go through our career options. By having career exhibitions, this creates a tunnel for the learners to devote themselves in the direction they want to pursuit career wise after school. School is so theoretical, and theory in society means as much as an idea without implementation. It gives us a podium, but it does not lead us anywhere. Exposing learners to the realities of life after school will lessen the after matric shock.” Problems facing the school are learners who are unable to read. This problem creates a major backlog in lessons, and affects the overall performance of the learners. “The Regional Office should invest in extra classes for learners with reading problems.” Adams said.