By: Annakleta Haikera
The Ndama East community has accused regional education leaders of repeatedly diverting funds meant for the construction of their school to other projects, leaving learners to study under trees and in makeshift classrooms.
This was revealed during a peaceful demonstration held at the school on Tuesday by parents of the 558 learners at the school.
The school has 14 qualified teachers and offers classes from pre-primary to Grade 6.
This comes after Education Minister Sanet Steenkamp announced last Thursday in the National Assembly that Ndama East School was operating illegally and therefore not recognised by the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture.
Community spokesperson David Ndumba strongly refuted the minister’s statement, saying all proper procedures were followed to establish the school and that they have official documents to prove it.
“The minister was misinformed. This school was established legally, and we have documents from the regional education office, the Rundu Town Council, and signed approvals from former Kavango East governor Bonifatius Wakudumo to prove it,” Ndumba said.
Ndumba accused regional leaders of failing the community and misleading the minister.
“The leaders we trusted have betrayed us. That is why we are calling on Her Excellency, the President, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, to come to Ndama East and hear directly from the parents. We want the truth to be known,” he announced.
Currently, learners at Ndama East School are taught in difficult conditions, with some having to sit on the ground due to a lack of desks and proper facilities.
Teachers, who are volunteering their services, are reportedly using money from their own pockets to keep the school operational.
Parents have vowed not to relocate their children, citing extreme overcrowding at nearby schools such as Ndama South, where classes are already full and some learners sit on the floor.
“Where do they expect our children to go? Ndama South and other schools in Rundu are already over capacity,” said Benitha Simbumburu, a resident of Ndama East.
“That is why this school was established; to bring education closer to our children,” Simbumburu explained.
PATTERN OF BUDGET DIVERSIONS
Simbumburu alleged that the current dispute stems from a history of budget diversions within the region. She revealed that before the construction of Ndama South, the budget originally allocated for Ndama East was redirected.
“At the time, community members were told that more funds would later be made available to build their school, a promise that has not been fulfilled to this day,” said another resident, Mathew Hausiku.
“Now they want to repeat the same mistake, taking the available funds and building a school far away while our children are learning under trees right here,” Hausiku observed.
He cited another example involving Ngcove Primary School, where money meant for permanent classrooms was allegedly used to build Rebecca Kambundu Primary School instead, leaving Ngcove with no permanent structures despite being a gazetted government school.
The Ndama East community is demanding that the Ministry of Education authorise the construction of permanent classrooms on the existing site.
Parents have threatened to boycott upcoming local and regional elections if their demands are ignored, saying they will no longer tolerate being sidelined.
“All we are asking is simple: build the school here where it is needed most. Our children deserve a proper education and safe classrooms,” Hausiku concluded.
Meanwhile, Kavango East education director, Christine Shilima, explained that the decision to relocate learners from Ndama East School was made by the previous leadership, not the current administration.
“I only came in to implement the decision that was already taken. I do not know why the previous regime decided to place the school in Ndama South,” she said.
She acknowledged the community’s frustrations, but advised that the matter be handled through neutral mediation to reach a consensus between the ministry, community, and regional officials.
Shilima expressed concern about a growing trend in Kavango East where communities claim land and start schools without following proper procedures, later demanding government recognition and resources.
“If we recognise this school, others will also demand the same. We need guidance from the minister because only the minister has the authority under the Education Act,” she said.
She added that a neutral team would be sent to resolve the issue, as the community currently does not trust local officials.
Shilima also spoke to the overcrowding in the region’s schools. Ndama South School has 823 learners, while Ndama East School has about 558 learners.
