Taimi Haihambo

OSHALI – In the heart of Oshali village in the Ohangwena region, a group of dedicated rural parents, whose children attend Sackaria Shikudule Combined School have come together to build hostel facilities, making it easier for their children to stay closer to school and focus on their studies.

Ileni Hilaria, one of the parents, said that the initiative started because many learners walk very long distances to school each day.  “It is even harder during exams, and since most of our homes still do not have electricity, it becomes nearly impossible for them to study at night,” she said.

Just two months ago, many of the schools in the area were inaccessible due to floods. This affected learners, as most of them had to stay away from school for a prolonged period to wait for the water to subside.

What makes this initiative even more powerful is the performance of the school. 

Sackaria Shikudule Combined School is one of the best-performing schools in the region. 

Last year, it was ranked number one in the grade 11 national exams, beating several town-based schools with more resources and better facilities.

Despite its good performance, learners did not have it easy, as they had to battle an accommodation crisis, where they were cramped up in the limited facilities available.

To support the learners, each parent contributed N$100 towards the construction of two hostel blocks, one for boys and one for girls, to accommodate 100 grade 10 and 11 learners. 

School principal Taara Shalyefu said the teaching staff also contributed funds, and fundraising events were held to help finance the project.

“Our school may be located deep in the village, but it continues to outshine many others,” said Shalyefu proudly.  He continued: “We are still appealing to more community members and businesspeople to join hands with us and support this dream”.

Overcrowding has forced many schools to resort to shack classrooms to accommodate growing enrolment numbers. 

In the Omusati region, education director Paulus Kashiimbi earlier told New Era that while there are 326 shack classrooms, the region also makes use of 258 prefabricated classrooms, which offer slightly improved learning conditions.

He admitted that many shack classrooms are still constructed from fragile materials like wood and zinc sheets. Hamatwi, however, said the education ministry has made significant efforts to build proper classrooms in the region.

For years, schools across the country have been struggling to contain high enrolment figures, which place a strain on the limited resources available. 

The northern regions of Ohangwena, Omusati, Oshikoto and Oshana are no exception.

Many of these infrastructures, New Era understands, pose health and safety risks, especially during harsh weather conditions. 

Regional education officials last month said a total of 967 shack classrooms remain in use across the Ohangwena, Omusati and Oshana regions. 

Ohangwena tops the list with 600 shack classrooms, followed by Omusati with 326 and Oshana with 41.

The hostel structures built by the parents, however, appear to be a means to an end for the learners at Sackaria Shindule Combined School. 

The structure is already being used by learners writing national exams this year. 

The plan is to have them fully operational next year for long-term use.

– taimihaihambo2000@gmail.com