ONGWEDIVA – Many schools in the Oshana Region have reported experiencing a high influx of learners, especially for grades 1, 8 and 11.
It has become common practise for parents to shun rural schools and to enrol their children in urban schools, because many rural schools have become notorious for their low academic performance. Oshana Regional Director for Education Dute Shinyemba said although the region has completed the process of enrolling learners in grades, 1, 8 and 11 many schools in the rural areas of the region still remain near empty. She said parents come up with various reasons and excuses, some of which do not make sense, just so that their children can be enrolled in urban schools. Shinyemba says the situation is presenting many challenges when it comes to the provision of hostel accommodation, especially for grade eleven learners in the region. “Oshana had about 2700 classroom space for grade elevens in various secondary schools and we have completed the admissions last week already with a few late comers having been placed yesterday. A total of 2886 learners have been admitted in schools already, these include 2558 full-time learners, 201 from Namcol and 471 learners from other regions and we still have space available for at least 142 learners,” said Shinyemba.
For the SS1 field of study there are 17 spaces available at the Andimba Toivo ya Toivo Secondary School and 35 spaces at Nangolo Secondary School both in Oluno, as well as 63 spaces at Ipumbu Secondary School in Oshakati. For the T1 field of study there are 16 spaces at Mweshipandeka Secondary School in Ongwediva, which also has 11 spaces for the T1 field of study. The SS1 stream refers to the field of study in which the learners combine development studies, geography, history and a supplementary subject such as business studies. The subject combination in the T1 stream include design and technology, mathematics, physical science and a supplementary subject such as Oshindonga or Oshikwanyama. Subjects in the T3 stream are fashion and fabric, business studies, development studies and a supplementary subject such as mathematic.
Shinyemba warned however that the region would not be admitting grade eleven learners from other regions, unless recommendation letters accompanies their applications from their regional directors. “We have everything under control as far as school enrollment is concerned in the region and there is no need for panicking,” Shinyemba added.
By Kakunawe Shinana