By: Annakleta Haikera
After years of enduring lessons under trees, learners at Ndama East School in Rundu will finally be taught in satisfactory classrooms.
The government has confirmed plans to construct 25 permanent classrooms at the school early next year, bringing long-awaited relief to the Kavango East Region.
Since 2022, hundreds of learners have been taught in makeshift open-air spaces, exposed to harsh weather conditions. With no formal infrastructure, volunteer teachers improvised by using metal sheets as blackboards and benches made from logs.
The announcement was made on Friday during Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare’s visit to the school, accompanied by Minister of Education, Sanet Steenkamp.
Steenkamp said the project would not only include 25 classrooms, but also an administration block, two ablution facilities, and a perimeter fence to secure the school grounds.
“This marks a new beginning for the Ndama East community. No child should be forced to learn under a tree,” she declared.
The development comes after months of tension between the Ministry of Education and the Ndama community.
Earlier this month, the ministry declared the school illegal, citing that it was established without proper authorisation.
Despite the declaration, parents continued sending their children to the school, arguing that the other schools were overcrowded and too far, making it unsafe for young learners to walk long distances.
During Friday’s visit, Prime Minister Ngurare praised the resilience of both parents and volunteer teachers.
“Your determination has brought us here today. This school will soon stand as a symbol of hope and progress,” Ngurare said.
Community leader David Ndumba described the announcement as a “moment of victory” for Ndama East residents.
“We have fought for this day. Our children will finally have proper classrooms and a safe space to learn,” Ndumba remarked.
The roots of Ndama East’s struggles trace back to the 2022 school year, when parents desperate to secure education for their children took matters into their own hands and established the school.
With no classrooms, desks, or toilets, lessons were held under trees, led by 14 volunteer teachers.
The government later built Ndama South School nearby, urging parents to transfer their children.
However, the community resisted, citing overcrowding and the long distances younger children would have to walk.
The dispute intensified earlier this year when the ministry labelled Ndama East an illegal school.
Even so, enrollment swelled to over 558 learners as parents refused to back down.
Construction at Ndama East is expected to start early in 2026 and will be carried out in phases.
The first classrooms are expected to be completed before the end of next year, ensuring learners won’t endure another rainy season under trees.
This development is part of a broader government initiative to tackle notable infrastructure shortages in Kavango East, where rapid population growth has outpaced existing schools.
Meanwhile, Ngurare instructed Christine Shilima, the regional director of education, along with officials from the Ministry of Works and Transport and the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development, to secure a contractor within two weeks.
He also ordered the construction of an access road to facilitate the transportation of building materials and to bring sanitation services to the school.
In addition, Steenkamp announced that 25 new teaching positions will be created next year and urged unemployed teachers to apply. She also revealed that N$1 million has been allocated to Ngcove Primary School for sanitation improvements.
