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Ekoka learners fear ‘witchcraft’

2022-10-27  Festus Hamalwa

Ekoka learners fear ‘witchcraft’

ONGWEDIVA - Learners at Ekoka Combined School say they are tired of seeing strange creatures in their hostel.

Pupils, who spoke to New Era, said they see strange snakes and owls climbing on their beds, while they reportedly also hear strange voices.

“We no longer sleep well. We have the spirit of committing suicide, sometimes we wake up at midnight and run away around the school,” said a grade 9 learner.

Ekoka Combined School is situated in Ekoka village in the Okongo constituency of Ohangwena region.

Learners did not attend classes on Monday, Tuesday and yesterday as they refused to turn up until the office of the education director intervenes.

They said they are demanding the Ohangwena education director to grant the school permission to bring in a pastor to pray for the hostel.

“We believe that the revival churches defeat evil,” another learner said.

A grade 8 learner, Aron Nambala, told New Era spiritual attacks mostly occur around the time the learners are writing examinations.

“We are no longer safe in this school. Sometimes we sleep with the light on because when it is off, we see many strange things,” Nambala stressed.

Nambala has called on the education minister, Anna Nghipondoka, to give consent to various church leaders to offer prayer services at the school.

Also speaking to New Era, Ndamona Gotlieb, who is in grade 8, expressed her frustration over the education director for being “careless” and not attending to their matter on time.

She said this has negatively affected them and they cannot concentrate on their schoolwork, which will cause them to fail.

“We used to pray every day before we sleep. We really need assistance before the situation gets worse,” she lamented.

The school principal at Ekoka Combined School, Moses Neshingo, said he is aware of the situation after it has been reported to his office several times.

“I have nothing I can do to stop witchcraft at the hostel. However, I have informed the education inspector of the Okongo circuit and the director of education in Ohangwena,” he said.

He added the education inspector was at the school on Monday and spoke to the learners about how the situation is going to be resolved.

Approached for comment, the education director in Ohangwena Isak Hamatwi, said no pastors are allowed at the school hostel to offer prayer services, therefore, this will not happen.

“Learners who wish to see a pastor must go seek assistance but it should not be done on school premises,” he added.

Teachers, who spoke to New Era, said they are worried about the safety of the learners and they also scared now since the situation is getting worse.


2022-10-27  Festus Hamalwa

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