BUNYA – Most learners at Bunya Combined School in the Kavango East region depend on soft porridge as their only meal of the day.
According to the ministry of education, the government spends about N$867 million a year on feeding more than 75 000 learners in State-run hostels.
For many at Bunya Combined School, the porridge served at school is not just a snack but the only reliable source of nutrition they receive in a day.
Teachers say this directly impacts learners’ concentration and overall performance in class. “The soft porridge is very important to our learners. It is not only about attending school but also about their performance and concentration in class,” said school principal Wellem Kotokeni. He added that the feeding programme plays a critical role in keeping learners in school, as many would otherwise attend classes on empty stomachs.
Kotokeni further said learners are currently eating their meals while sitting under trees and on sandy ground, a situation he described as unhealthy and not conducive for proper learning. The school also lacks proper infrastructure for food preparation, which becomes even more challenging during the rainy season.
“We can’t do without the soft porridge. It is very important to our learners. Some of them depend on it as their only meal of the day,” he said.
Despite these challenges, the school has received support from the Rössing Foundation, which has contributed significantly to improving the learning environment.
The principal thanked the foundation for its continued assistance, saying the support has strengthened teaching and learning through the donation of ICT devices, textbooks, library resources, and teaching aids.
“We are thankful to the Rössing Foundation for their support. They have really improved our teaching and learning environment,” Kotokeni said.
The foundation has also pledged to continue supporting the school in future development programmes aimed at improving education quality.
One learner, Biatris Augstinho, said the soft porridge has become a special and much-anticipated meal at the school, as it helps them get through the school day despite difficult home circumstances.
“It is a special meal for us at school,” said Augstinho.
Another learner, Kenya Jeremia, pointed out that the lack of a proper dining facility remains a major challenge, as learners are forced to eat outside without shelter or seating arrangements.
He said this becomes difficult especially during extreme weather conditions, affecting their comfort while eating and sometimes discouraging younger learners from fully enjoying their meals.
“We don’t have a dining room, so eating outside is a challenge for us,” Jeremia said.
Former beneficiary of the Rössing Foundation, Maria Kenyanga, who was once taken on an educational trip to China, said the experience exposed her to new learning environments and helped improve her understanding of science subjects.
She expressed gratitude to the foundation for the opportunity, saying the exposure broadened her perspective and motivated her academically.
“I have learned a lot from the trip to China. It helped me in my science studies, and I am very thankful to the Rössing Foundation for giving me that opportunity,” Kenyanga said.