RUNDU – Kavango West education director Pontianus Musore has said 2023 placements for all grades went well towards the end of last year; however, the region is in dire need of teachers.
He said the region needs about 40 teachers.
Musore, in an interview with New Era, said the only problem they had regarding learner placement was with parents who did not apply for their children and only decided to show up when school reopened, particularly in Nkurenkuru schools.
“You know there are people moving from remote rural areas to Nkurenkuru for different reasons – that is where we had a bit of a problem. But we told schools to record them, and they were placed in classes, although in overcrowded spaces of over 60 learners in a class, while they are supposed to be at least 40. Due to that demand, we have plans to build a new primary school and a secondary school at Nkurenkuru once we secure funds.
“At the moment, our classes are overcrowded – and we are currently putting up temporary structures and tents to accommodate them, but the challenge that comes with that is the need for chairs and desks, and also teachers. If the business community or anyone can assist, we will appreciate it,” he said.
Musore informed New Era the demand for teachers is crucial, as the learner population increased drastically, which led to the demand for classrooms, chairs and desks. “Last year we made our demands known to the ministry and we told them that we needed 60 teachers and they managed to get us 20 towards the end of last year and they already reported for duty at various schools across the region,” Musore said. Musore further said, as a region, unlike in the past, they are not closing any school – even if the teacher at that school is teaching only four learners. Most of these schools are in rural remote areas.
“We are not closing any. Our challenge is if you close, where do you take the few learners who are there? They also have the right to education, and we can’t deny them that right. The biggest problem we have is we don’t have hostels where we can send them. We are constructing a few hostels,’’ he noted.
Although multigrade teaching at some schools is a challenge, they keep them there because of the shortage of hostels in the region to transfer learners.
“Education is our collective responsibility. People and businesses must come on board and support where they can in resolving some of these challenges,” he said.