Africa-Press – Namibia. MORE than 200 pupils from Cornelius Goreseb High School at Khorixas were yesterday sent home due to outstanding school fees and reams of photocopy paper.
MORE than 200 pupils from Cornelius Goreseb High School at Khorixas were yesterday sent home due to outstanding school fees and reams of photocopy paper.
A Grade 10 pupil claims acting principal Penooua Zemberuka yesterday told pupils that the head of department, Cornelia Adams, would later send them home for these reasons.
“Zemberuka during assembly said Miss Adams would send home those pupils who have not brought photocopy paper to school, and who have not paid their school fees,” the pupil said.
The involved pupils were then called from their classrooms to assembly points at the school, where they were allegedly told to leave the school premises, and to tell their parents they were sent home.
Another pupil yesterday said: “Miss Adams wanted us to leave our school bags and go tell our parents why we were sent home. We refuse to leave our bags at school.”
They are only allowed back once they get hold of photocopy paper and bring their school fees up to date, the pupil said.
“Month-end is far. Where will my mother get the money from now? I thought education was free, but it’s not.”
Cornelius Goreseb High School is home to more than 500 pupils and more than 20 teachers.
After pupils were sent home yesterday, few remained in class, pupils claimed.
“They don’t want to teach. Do you think they will teach one or two pupils in a class? It’s a Monday, and sending home pupils on Mondays is nothing new,” another pupil said.
A parent, who preferred to remain anonymous, yesterday said: “Where will we get money in the middle of the month? Our water has been cut off by the Khorixas Town Council, and we are struggling with water already.
“The school must at least wait until the end of the month.”
The parent added the school should stop being concerned over pupils’ hairstyles too.
“Why are Windhoek-based pupils allowed to have whatever hairstyle they want? Here pupils have to cut their hair every second week,” the parent said.
Zemburuka yesterday, when approached for comment, said: “What is it?”
He later sent The Namibian a text message, saying: “They must come back to school.”
Angeline Jantze, director of education for the Kunene region, yesterday said: “I informed them that the pupils can go back. No child will be returned from school because of non-payment of school fees.
“As we are speaking, I am writing a letter to the school.”
A Grade 10 pupil claims acting principal Penooua Zemberuka yesterday told pupils that the head of department, Cornelia Adams, would later send them home for these reasons.
“Zemberuka during assembly said Miss Adams would send home those pupils who have not brought photocopy paper to school, and who have not paid their school fees,” the pupil said.
The involved pupils were then called from their classrooms to assembly points at the school, where they were allegedly told to leave the school premises, and to tell their parents they were sent home.
Another pupil yesterday said: “Miss Adams wanted us to leave our school bags and go tell our parents why we were sent home. We refuse to leave our bags at school.”
They are only allowed back once they get hold of photocopy paper and bring their school fees up to date, the pupil said.
“Month-end is far. Where will my mother get the money from now? I thought education was free, but it’s not.”
Cornelius Goreseb High School is home to more than 500 pupils and more than 20 teachers.
After pupils were sent home yesterday, few remained in class, pupils claimed.
“They don’t want to teach. Do you think they will teach one or two pupils in a class? It’s a Monday, and sending home pupils on Mondays is nothing new,” another pupil said.
A parent, who preferred to remain anonymous, yesterday said: “Where will we get money in the middle of the month? Our water has been cut off by the Khorixas Town Council, and we are struggling with water already.
“The school must at least wait until the end of the month.”
The parent added the school should stop being concerned over pupils’ hairstyles too.
“Why are Windhoek-based pupils allowed to have whatever hairstyle they want? Here pupils have to cut their hair every second week,” the parent said.
Zemburuka yesterday, when approached for comment, said: “What is it?”
He later sent The Namibian a text message, saying: “They must come back to school.”
Angeline Jantze, director of education for the Kunene region, yesterday said: “I informed them that the pupils can go back. No child will be returned from school because of non-payment of school fees.
“As we are speaking, I am writing a letter to the school.”
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