Africa-Press – Namibia. THE //Kharas region is facing a shortage of 71 classrooms at primary and secondary schools.
Regional education director /Awebahe //Hoëseb says 10 pre-primary school classrooms are needed, 44 primary school classrooms, and 17 at secondary schools.
Speaking at the annual principals’ planning meeting at Lüderitz on Friday, he said additionally, 211 pupils in the region have been placed in schools.
//Hoëseb said Keetmanshoop Secondary School, PK de Villiers Secondary School, Tsau ||khaeb Secondary school, Lordsville Secondary school, and Oosterheim and Karasburg combined schools topped the list of those lacking classrooms.
He called on school principals in the region to make concerted efforts to improve the quality of education.
//Hoëseb said principals are accountable for all aspects relating to school leadership, management and administration, and should strive to provide guidance to transform schools into better institutions.
“Sometimes assumptions are made that principals do not have the right attitude, don’t understand how to lead, manage and administer a school, and therefore do not produce quality educational outcomes.
“It may be true at times, but we needed to establish a platform to assist the principal to be an inspiring instructional leader for the sake of the pupil,” he said.
He said the additional classrooms would reduce the region’s teacher-to-pupil ratio, which currently stands at 30 pupils to one teacher at secondary schools, 35 pupils to one teacher for Grades 1-7, and 25 pupils per pre-primary school teacher.
“If proper planning is done, a principal would know in three years’ time he or she would need an extra classroom to accommodate pupils as their numbers grow. This also means schools may cope this year with the number of classrooms available at the school, but will need more in 2023,” he said.
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