WINDHOEK – The Khomas Education Directorate says most of the delays in the delivery of stationery to schools is caused by the non-availability of such materials in government stores.
Since the implementation of free primary education last year some parents have been complaining that their children often attend school without stationery for weeks after the beginning of the school year, because government takes too long to deliver stationery to schools. The delays are prompting many parents to buy stationery for their children, instead of waiting for government supplies.
Parents are no longer responsible for paying school fees and stationery, since the introduction of free primary education. On Wedensday the Khomas Regional Education Deputy Director, Engeline Steenkamp, said sometimes the delays are caused by the non-availability of some stationery at government stores.
“But my office has been informed by the procurement section that stationery is being delivered on a daily basis and all schools received most of their materials although not all of them,” she said. She urged schools not to hesitate to approach her office regarding delayed materials. Moreover, she clarified that stationery is not delivered by private contractors to schools as perceived by some.
“There are no suppliers when it comes to stationery, the education directorate orders directly from government stores. We place orders and then make the payments to government stores and deliver the materials ourselves to schools. Some schools also come and pick up their own stationery from our office or from the Teachers’ Resource Centre in Katutura,” she explained. Regarding claims of poor quality stationary that are making the rounds, Steenkamp said she has yet to receive complaints in that regard. “I cannot comment on poor quality stationery. My office did not receive any complaints from parents or schools. If it happens to a particular school, then they should put such complaints in writing and only then can my office act and investigate,” Steenkamp noted. She also cautioned schools in the Khomas Region to refrain from demanding school fees and stationery from parents and rather to allow parents to give voluntarily.
By Albertina Nakale