A critical lack of access to calculators at Westmond High School at Otjomuise has directly affected pupil participation and performance, particularly in accounting and mathematics, according to accounting teacher Viktoria Hukuete-Shifeta.
The need prompted Hukuete-Shifeta to launch the ‘Donate a Calculator’ campaign two months ago.
Speaking to Desert FM, Hukuete-Shifeta says she has taught at different schools over the years, but when she arrived at Westmond High School in 2024, she noticed a clear difference.
“I realised that pupils understood the formulas, but when it came to adding up answers, they were getting them wrong. In class, many simply sit and watch because they don’t have calculators.”
She says nearly 80% of pupils at the school come from less fortunate backgrounds, making it difficult for them to afford even basic learning materials.
She explains that the lack of calculators leads to poor concentration during lessons, limited class participation and, ultimately, weak performance in tests and examinations.
“These pupils are not only struggling with calculators. Some come to class without exercise books or pens. Others go the entire year without a full school uniform. Many are hungry. These are the realities they face every day,” she says.
The situation is further complicated by theft. Hukuete-Shifeta says some pupils who own calculators leave them at home out of fear that they will be stolen at school by those who cannot afford their own.
Westmond High School has approximately 1 000 pupils from grades 8 to 11, all of whom take mathematics, while many also study accounting.
She estimates that around 800 pupils are currently without calculators.
To ensure sustainability and prevent theft, the donated calculators will remain school property.
They will be kept by mathematics and accounting teachers and be issued to pupils only during lessons, tests and examinations.
“If I’m teaching a class where 20 pupils don’t have calculators, I will bring 20 calculators to that lesson,” she says.
“Pupils use them during the period and return them immediately afterwards. The calculators are numbered, and this system helps us keep them for long-term use.”
Since launching the campaign in November, Hukuete-Shifeta has secured 50 calculators, donated mainly by friends and personal contacts. She says the response has been encouraging but adds that more is needed to meet the demand.
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