By: Annakleta Haikera
The Kavango East Regional Director of Education, Arts and Culture, Christine Shilima, has called on school principals to properly utilise government school grants to address challenges such as broken desks, chairs and basic maintenance, instead of shifting the financial burden to parents.
Shilima said all public schools receive annual school grants, which are meant to cover minor renovations, furniture repairs, sports, cultural activities and other operational needs.
“If a school claims that the money is finished, they must account for how it was spent and formally request additional funding. Parents should not be terrorised for money,” she remarked.
Shilima stressed that the grants are specifically intended to empower school management to handle minor maintenance issues without waiting for tenders or external interventions. To that, she cited Ruben Makaranga Primary School as an example, noting that the school used part of its grant to repair desks and chairs.
“Why can’t other principals do the same? That is exactly why we give schools these grants. Some principals are using the money well, others are not,” she said.
Addressing infrastructure challenges, Shilima explained that some schools currently facing shortages were originally designed to cater only for lower primary grades, but later expanded due to increased enrolment without a corresponding expansion of classrooms, furniture or sanitation facilities.
She said Ngcangcana Junior Primary School was initially meant to accommodate Grades 1 to 3, but additional grades were introduced as learner numbers increased.
On procurement, Shilima warned that schools are not allowed to randomly select companies to carry out work without following proper procurement procedures, describing such practices as corruption. According to the education director, any company wishing to work with schools must go through an open and competitive procurement process.
She further revealed that her office will engage the chief accountant to share details on how much funding schools receive per learner, adding that some schools receive amounts exceeding N$500,000, which should be sufficient to address minor needs if properly managed.
Parents’ Concerns at Ngcangcana Junior Primary School
Parents at Ngcangcana Junior Primary School in the Rundu Rural Constituency have raised concerns over what they describe as severely compromised learning conditions caused by a lack of basic infrastructure, furniture and proper sanitation facilities.
During a visit by The Villager on Monday, parents gathered at the school to express grievances over a shortage of toilets, water, classrooms, desks, and chairs. They said learners are taught under difficult and undignified conditions.
The school accommodates approximately 265 learners from Grades 1 to 7, with about eight teachers; a situation parents say places strain on both educators and learners.
Ingrid Ngunda, a parent, expressed concern over the impact these conditions may have on learners’ health, dignity and academic performances.
She called on the Ministry of Education to intervene by providing additional classrooms, furniture and proper sanitation facilities.
Maria Chihinga, also a parent, accused the school principal of holding two jobs and effectively abandoning the school, claiming that the absence of leadership has contributed to the lack of toilets, infrastructure development and overall neglect of the school.
Chihinga alleged that despite their efforts to meet the government halfway, Ngcangcana Junior Primary School remains neglected compared to other schools in the Kavango East Region.
She also reported that some learners are forced to share one chair, lack textbooks, and in some instances are compelled to write on the floor during lessons.
Parents have called on education authorities to urgently investigate the situation, closely monitor the use of school funds, and ensure transparency, accountability and improved learning conditions for their children.
