ONGWEDIVA – Despite continued efforts by the government to improve school infrastructure, hundreds of learners in northern Namibia are still being taught in makeshift shack classrooms.
Many of these infrastructures, New Era understands, pose health and safety risks, especially during harsh weather conditions.
Regional education officials 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.
Speaking to New Era, Ohangwena education director Isak Hamatwi yesterday acknowledged the severe challenges learners face in these structures.
“Some of these shacks are regularly destroyed by strong winds and must be rebuilt just so teaching can continue,” he said. Some classrooms become flooded during the rainy season, putting both learners and teachers at risk.
“Especially now, during winter, learners sit shivering in the cold,” Hamatwi said.
Overcrowding has forced schools to resort to shack classrooms to accommodate growing enrolment numbers.
In the Omusati region, education director Paulus Kashiimbi said that while there are 326 shack classrooms, the region also makes use of 258 prefabricated classrooms, which offer slightly improved learning conditions.
However, he admitted that many shack classrooms are still constructed from fragile materials like wood and zinc sheets.
Hamatwi said the education ministry has made significant efforts to build proper classrooms in the region.
At Emilia Shimwefeleni Combined School (CS), the number of shack classrooms has been reduced from 15 to just two after the construction of 12 permanent classrooms.
“This shows that the government is committed to improving learning conditions one school at a time,” Hamatwi said. At Oshikunde SC, classroom renovations are underway, while new classrooms have recently been completed at Lazarus Haufiku School CS, replacing the previous shack structures.
“Even at Nangolo Mbumba Primary School, learners are no longer taught in shacks – thanks to new classrooms constructed by the ministry,” he added.
Hamatwi maintained that the need remains urgent.
“Some schools continue to use shacks simply because of high learner numbers and a shortage of proper classrooms,” he said.
He stated that the financial constraints remain the biggest hurdle.
He acknowledged the contributions of non-governmental organisations and international donors who have stepped in to help build classrooms and called for continued support.
“We urge various organisations to keep supporting our schools. That is the best way to complement government efforts and ensure our children receive education in safe and dignified environments,” he said.