Customize Consent Preferences

We use cookies to help you navigate efficiently and perform certain functions. You will find detailed information about all cookies under each consent category below.

The cookies that are categorized as "Necessary" are stored on your browser as they are essential for enabling the basic functionalities of the site. ... 

Always Active

Necessary cookies are required to enable the basic features of this site, such as providing secure log-in or adjusting your consent preferences. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable data.

No cookies to display.

Functional cookies help perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collecting feedback, and other third-party features.

No cookies to display.

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics such as the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.

No cookies to display.

Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.

No cookies to display.

Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with customized advertisements based on the pages you visited previously and to analyze the effectiveness of the ad campaigns.

No cookies to display.

e-Learning a distant reality for rural learners

Home National e-Learning a distant reality for rural learners

OHAIYANDA – I have never heard of e-learning and what it entails, these were the words of a grade 6 learner at Mungandjera Combined School who New Era came across playing outside a house and driving a wire toy car at Ohaiyanda village in Oshikoto.
“I miss school and I’m equally tired of being home doing house chores as well as playing house. I feel left out in attaining quality education and I feel with this time wasted, it might affect my performance,” stated 14-year-old Angula Amukoto.
Wearing a school uniform trouser folded on the left side, Amukoto, added he has no clue about what e-learning is or how to operate a smartphone or laptop.

Neither did any of his family who were around could clearly state they are well vested with the e-learning system, this is exacerbated by the fact none of them owns a smartphone.

This scenario complements the widespread public outcry that e-learning which was necessitated by the Covid-19 pandemic as a relief measure, will not be effective to rural schools, mainly without telecommunication equipment and network connectivity.
A fortnight ago, education executive director Sanet Steenkamp said about 32 percent of Namibian schools do not have telecommunication systems to support e-learning, of which majority are in rural areas.

It was stated that, WhatsApp platforms will be used to reach to learners, while for those without access, teachers were implored to be creative and prepare weekly worksheets, which will be picked up physically at distribution points. 
This is however, the opposite in Amukoto’s case who still remains in the dark. 

He stays with his grandmother, an uncle and two other school going girls who equally stated they are just idling at home waiting for the day when contact lessons will resume. 
“I am not in a position to assist in this e-learning as I only have a basic understanding, its too complicated. I therefore don’t think I can help in teaching the kids at home, because I know nothing. In fact, I have no smartphone even,” said Festus Uutoni, Amukoto’s uncle when queried.