Bridging the English Gap in Rural Schools

As a student teacher who attended a rural school in the Omusati region, I have seen the challenges pupils face in mastering English.

The gap between rural and urban education is so big it feels like the schools are in different countries.

In many rural schools, English is not only introduced very late, but is also taught in the local language instead of in English.

For example, my Grade 1 sister cannot speak or understand English, she only knows ‘Oshiingilisa’ (the Oshiwambo word for English) because her teacher explains it only in Oshiwambo.

She also does not know what ‘math’ means but understands ‘Omwaalu’, because that is what is used in class. In town schools, English is the main language of teaching from Grade 1.

This late and indirect introduction puts rural pupils at a big disadvantage regarding school, expressing themselves, and future opportunities.
I only started learning in English in Grade 5, which made it hard for me to be fluent in it.

I am asking the education ministry to make sure all pupils, no matter where they are, get fair and equal exposure to English while still keeping our local languages.

This is not just about education – it’s about fairness.
Thank you!

– Concerned citizen

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