Africa-Press – Namibia. THE situation remains unchanged at the Ndama East school in Rundu Urban Constituency, Kavango East, which was recently videographed showing learners being taught under trees and sitting on makeshift chairs.
The standoff between the Education Ministry and the parents and teachers continues despite earlier promises that the learners would be moved to the Ndama South School.
Rundu Urban Constituency councillor, Victoria Mbawo Kauma, refused to comment on the matter.
Meanwhile, it has emerged that the Ndama East school is not legally registered and is not recognized by the government. The teachers are volunteers who are not on the government payroll.
The legally established school was constructed in Ndama South two years ago, featuring fourteen classrooms and ablution blocks.
However, some parents have refused to relocate their children to the newly built school in protest. They claim that the school was initially meant to be built at Ndama East but was “deviated” to Ndama South without proper explanation.
The Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture (MEIYSAC) has issued a statement on the matter.
Having reaffirmed its constitutional and legal mandate to provide quality education for every Namibian child, the Ministry said that it held consultations with the community where the State’s responsibility to provide education and the lawful procedures for the establishment of schools were reiterated.
According to the Ministry, the Ndama South site, measuring 75,000 m2, was legally allocated by the Rundu Town Council for the construction of a new school.
In contrast, the Ndama East site, which is currently occupied by some members of the community as a school, is not legally registered.
The two sites are only 900 metres apart, which falls within accepted planning standards for school establishment.
“Registration of the new school began in September 2023. However, despite the availability of these facilities, some members of the community continue to resist relocating learners to the registered government school, insisting that the Ministry should endorse an unregistered facility at Ndama East on the grounds of convenience and personal preference,” said the Ministry in a statement, also noting that the Kavango East Region currently has a total of 189 government schools, all of which are legally registered and properly managed to ensure learners have access to quality education.
The Ministry pointed out that unregistered schools, such as the one currently operating at Ndama East, are unlawful, compromise the quality of education, and require urgent redress.
The Ministry promised to guide regional offices on the closure of unregistered schools and seek legal advice to ensure the process is managed in line with the law.
Furthermore, the Ministry will continue to work closely with local authorities to ensure that land is properly allocated for schools in newly developed townships. The Ministry acknowledged the concerns of some members of the Ndama community and stressed that all school construction projects must comply with legal provisions and prioritise fairness, sustainability, and the long-term interests of learners.
All stakeholders and the broader Ndama community are called upon to unite in support of the legally established school at Ndama South, in the best interest of current and future generations of learners.
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