Africa-Press – Namibia. THE deputy director of education in the Kavango East region, Pontianus Musore, has refuted claims that the region only utilised 49% of the stationery budget allocated by the ministry of education last year.
A report from the ministry on the procurement of stationery for the year 2021/2022, indicates that the Kavango East region received N$4 million in March 2021.
The ministry compiled the report after some parents complained about the list of stationery they received annually, which pupils are required to bring to school. Musore said the information provided by the ministry regarding the region’s expenditure budget on stationery is inaccurate.
“That is not accurate. We decided to send that money to schools, so that schools can procure their needs,” he said, noting that about N$3,9 million was dispatched to schools which translates to a 99% execution rate, and not 49% as indicated in the report.
Musore said after the money was paid to the schools, the remaining balance was between N$20 000 to N$24 000. “I think there was just a miscommunication from the person who reported that to Windhoek because I have proof of how the money was distributed to schools,” he said.
According to the details of how the money was distributed, seen by The Namibian, Kehemu Combined School received the highest amount of N$169 000, while the lowest was Cakuma Junior Primary School from the Shinyungwe circuit with N$420 00.
Musore said he does not see any issue with parents buying stationery, as it is their responsibility to support their children’s education. “Our stand has been that whatever has to be done should be done on a voluntary basis and learners must not be denied access to school because parents did not buy stationery or they did not pay school fees,” said Musore.
He added that the directorate has advised parents and schools to agree to contribute money for the school to buy the stationery, especially in rural areas where schools are far from stationery shops.
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