{"id":80519,"date":"2024-11-13T17:29:00","date_gmt":"2024-11-13T17:29:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/namibia\/all-news\/tsumkwe-teachers-still-live-in-tents"},"modified":"2024-11-13T17:29:00","modified_gmt":"2024-11-13T17:29:00","slug":"tsumkwe-teachers-still-live-in-tents","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/namibia\/all-news\/tsumkwe-teachers-still-live-in-tents","title":{"rendered":"Tsumkwe teachers still live in tents"},"content":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Namibia. <\/strong><\/span>Two years after New Era initially reported about the plight of teachers in the Tsumkwe constituency who are compelled to sleep in tents, their situation has not changed.<\/p>\n

The teachers continue confronting daily threats and uncertainties, vulnerable to the elements and the hazards associated with residing in makeshift structures outside school premises.<\/p>\n

For example, one male teacher lives in a tent which has a faulty zip, situated in a small, cleared area. This is an emblematic representation of the deplorable conditions these educators are forced to endure.<\/p>\n

In August 2022, New Era visited the \/\/Auru village school, where community members expressed concern that teachers might seek posts elsewhere due to a lack of adequate housing, leaving pupils unattended and at risk of dropping out of school.<\/p>\n

During a recent visit to the area, New Era found that a number of village schools in the region, including Ben se Kamp, \/\/Xa\/oba, Den\/UI, Nhoma and Duin Pos, lacked proper accommodation for teachers, forcing them to still sleep in tents.<\/p>\n

Dabe Kaqece, a teacher at Duin Pos Primary School, told this publication that he has been living in tents for the past seven years.<\/p>\n

Although he has been a teacher for more than two decades, this committed educator encounters significant difficulties regarding his living conditions, which impacts his capacity to fulfil his responsibilities and support his family.<\/p>\n

In an interview outside his tent, which lacks a zip, he recounted his daily hardships.<\/p>\n

Kaqece said such living subjects him to severe weather conditions, the presence of wild animals, and inadequate security.<\/p>\n

During the rainy season, his tent frequently becomes inundated, rendering it both uncomfortable and perilous.<\/p>\n

\u201cI sleep in the tent, and I\u2019m not happy because of the rain. Water overflows into the tent when it rains. If I leave my food inside, dogs come in and eat it,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

The educator said residing in a tent is not merely a matter of inconvenience, it poses significant safety risks. He referenced a recent experience to illustrate his point.<\/p>\n

\u201cOne day, a snake entered the tent. I was lucky to spot it on time. So, your life is always at risk,\u201d Kaqece said, holding his mouth as if he was still in shock.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I go to pay bills or buy groceries, I return to find that dogs have eaten my food,\u201d he continued.<\/p>\n

The educator stated that the situation has been ongoing for more than two decades.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have been working here for over 20 years, and I am still living in a tent. But my colleagues who started after me are staying in proper houses elsewhere,\u201d he noted.<\/p>\n

His colleagues thus enjoy better living conditions, while he and many others continue to endure the harsh realities of life in a tent.<\/p>\n

More hardships<\/p>\n

\u201cThe new teachers say they wouldn\u2019t come to this school if they have to stay in a tent, like I do. They wouldn\u2019t stay here,\u201d he stated while shaking his head and holding his waist. The teacher\u2019s hardship extends beyond the discomfort of living in a tent.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn winter, it\u2019s cold inside the tent. When it\u2019s hot, it\u2019s unbearable. I just sit under a tree,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Kaqece also spoke about the lack of privacy and proper ablution facilities.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo bath, I have to go behind the tent after everyone has gone to bed,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Family life<\/p>\n

His family situation is another source of stress. While the teacher stays in the tent, his wife and children live elsewhere.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy children are in a hostel. I only have two children at school now; the others have dropped out,\u201d he said, adding that if he had nice accommodation, he could have raised his family properly.<\/p>\n

Despite these difficult circumstances, Kaqece remains hopeful for change.<\/p>\n

\u201cI believe next year, I should be moved to another school where there is a proper structure. I am the only one who has been stuck in this situation for so long,\u201d he observed.<\/p>\n

Kaqece suggested that the government constructs permanent houses for teachers stationed in remote areas to address these pressing issues.<\/p>\n

\u201cEven if a simple zinc shelter was provided, it would be better than this tent,\u201d he said, reiterating that a more stable structure would allow him to lock his belongings securely.<\/p>\n

He also suggested an immediate solution.<\/p>\n

\u201cEven providing a bigger tent would be better than the one I have now. But I think a corrugated zinc shelter would be better. A tent is temporary; the zips break easily, and it\u2019s not secure,\u201d said the teacher.<\/p>\n

Transportation challenges<\/p>\n

Besides the tent, the teacher also faces challenges of transport. It is very difficult to get to town for shopping, especially with the high cost of transportation.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf I need to go to Tsumkwe for shopping, it costs about N$530 to $630. It\u2019s just too expensive. And sometimes even when I wait by the side of the road, there\u2019s no transport.\u201d<\/p>\n

These challenges have made it difficult for him to manage daily life.<\/p>\n

\u201cSometimes, I don\u2019t have food for days before I can get to town. If I don\u2019t get transport, I have to wait until the weekend. It\u2019s frustrating,\u201d Kaqece lamented.<\/p>\n

Education ministry\u2019s response<\/p>\n

Education executive director Sanet Steenkamp acknowledged that the overall education system encounters considerable difficulties, especially in rural and isolated regions.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt most of the schools, we do not have fully-constructed school facilities. We only have classrooms,\u201d she stated.<\/p>\n

She added that the issue arises from the high turnover of pupils in these regions.<\/p>\n

\u201cChildren move on a very irregular basis, which makes it difficult to justify the construction of permanent school buildings,\u201d she said. The executive director recalled an instance a few years ago when she visited Ben se Kamp, and saw a teacher living in a small tent.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat was a few years ago, and the teacher \u2013Festus \u2013 was doing an excellent job, despite his living conditions. Today, Festus is working in Tsumkwe, collaborating with the Ju\/\u2019hoansi Development Trust, and continues to be an example of dedication to education,\u201d she noted.<\/p>\n

She said some Tsumkwe schools have few pupils, like some with only 17 or 11 learners, and it becomes difficult to justify the construction of permanent teacher accommodation.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have more than 350 schools in the country with fewer than 100 pupils. These are the complexities we deal with. If we construct houses at these schools but only 17 children attend, it doesn\u2019t make sense from a resources\u2019 allocation perspective,\u201d she emphasised.<\/p>\n

The official also acknowledged that while the ministry recognises the need for better teachers\u2019 accommodation, the focus has been on ensuring sufficient classroom construction over the past two years.<\/p>\n

\u201cTeachers are our biggest resource, and their well-being is critical. But, given the budget constraints, we have prioritised classroom development. Once we balance the situation with more classrooms and schools, we will turn our attention to teachers\u2019 housing,\u201d Steenkamp assured.<\/p>\n

For More News And Analysis About Namibia<\/a> Follow Africa-Press<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Namibia. Two years after New Era initially reported about the plight of teachers in the Tsumkwe constituency who are compelled to sleep in tents, their situation has not changed. The teachers continue confronting daily threats and uncertainties, vulnerable to the elements and the hazards associated with residing in makeshift structures outside school premises. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":84,"featured_media":80518,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,3],"tags":[234,236,233],"class_list":["post-80519","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-all-news","category-community","tag-africa-press","tag-africa-press-namibia","tag-namibia"],"yoast_head":"\nTsumkwe teachers still live in tents - Namibia<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/namibia\/all-news\/tsumkwe-teachers-still-live-in-tents\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Tsumkwe teachers still live in tents\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Africa-Press – Namibia. Two years after New Era initially reported about the plight of teachers in the Tsumkwe constituency who are compelled to sleep in tents, their situation has not changed. The teachers continue confronting daily threats and uncertainties, vulnerable to the elements and the hazards associated with residing in makeshift structures outside school premises. 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