Otjozondjupa region is facing a backlog of over 241 classrooms at both secondary and primary levels, regional governor James Uerikua revealed.
This is while a further shortage of 29 science labs and 36 libraries was also recorded during the 2022/23 period.
These figures are contained in Uerikua’s State of the Region address (Sora), in which he also revealed that the region’s education directorate needs over 30 heads of departments (HoDs) at various schools.
“The key contributing factors are an increase in enrolment and limited financial resources. Therefore, I appeal to the business community and other partners to emulate those that have joined us to improve the status of education in the region. Our region embraces education and knowledge empowerment as a tool to enable us to have a secured future in terms of knowledge, skills and growth,” said Uerikua.
Otjozondjupa region’s ongoing efforts to meet the nationally-accepted 1:35 teacher-to-learner ratio for primary schools and 1:30 for secondary schools is being derailed by the continuous shortage of classrooms at both secondary and primary school levels.
To arrest this, an additional eight schools need to be constructed in order to meet the region’s current demand, he said.
Despite the shortage of classrooms at most government schools, the governor applauded various companies and individuals for narrowing the gap with the construction and opening of new private schools within the region.
This, he hastens to say, has helped alleviate some pressure from the government.
“New private schools also opened in the region namely, Reenborg Paradyse private school in Grootfontein constituency offering pre-primary until Grade 3 and St. Veron Academy in Okakarara constituency, also offering pre-primary up to Grade 3. Our region will forever be grateful to our regional partners in education such as B2Gold that built a primary school in the informal area of Ombili in Otjiwarongo and others such as Palms for Life in Tsumkwe constituency,” the technocrat-turned-politician said.
Uerikua further takes solace in the growing number of school enrolments in each academic year and the 2022/23 period is not an exception.
“A total of 56 194 learners were enrolled in 90 schools with 1 954 teachers during the period under review. The directorate enforces non-discriminatory admission at schools as per the admission policy.
Furthermore, 34 schools benefited from the Remoteness Allowance for qualified teachers to ensure that all learners, regardless of their geographical location, have access to quality education. However, the shortage of houses for teachers remains a critical challenge that threatens the success of education in the region,” the regional political head stated, emphatically.
- ohembapu@nepc.com.na