Leaking roofs at Ohangwena, Oshikoto disrupt teaching

MAKESHIFT CLASSROOM … Namhadi yaMwelihanyeka Primary School pupils in the Okongo constituency of the Ohangwena region pictured in a makeshift classroom made of corrugated iron. Photo: Namhadi yaMwelihanyeka Primary School

LEAKING classroom roofs in the Ohangwena and Oshikoto regions continue to disrupt teaching and learning as lessons are still conducted in makeshift structures made of corrugated iron.

School principals say there is a lack of funds to build proper infrastructure and restrictive policies delay the construction of permanent classrooms.

Namhadi yaMwelihanyeka Primary School in Oshushu village, in the Okongo constituency, which accommodates 149 pupils, has only had two proper classroom structures since its establishment in 1992.

It operates from pre-primary to Grade 6, with most classrooms made out of corrugated iron.

School principal Eino Kakonda says they have reached out to the education directorate for assistance. However, they were told that there are no funds available.

Kakonda says the pupils are being taught under corrugated iron, a situation he describes as “unfavourable” as the metal becomes too cold during winter and hot during summer, while the area is also prone to wind.

“We wrote numerous letters to the directorate. They said they will answer us once the funds are made available. . . We are fortunate to be in a sandy area because the classrooms don’t get flooded,” he says.

However, he adds that the roofs still leak often.

Betrice Kaulya, a Grade 2 and 3 teacher at the school, yesterday said the poor ventilation prevents her from teaching inside the classrooms during the hot season.

She said displaying posters and other visual aids is impossible because the heat from the corrugated iron prevents materials from sticking.

“We made requests to the education director several times, but the response is always negative,” Kaulya said.

Education director Isak Hamatwi could not be reached for comment.

The situation is similar to that of Onaluthipa Primary School in the Eengodi constituency where the roofs leak during rainy seasons.

The school only has 70 pupils, which principal Esther Haukena says is the reason why the school is not getting permanent classroom structures. According to her, the ministry does not provide proper structures to schools with few pupils.

“Only grades 1 and 2 have proper classrooms, the rest are in corrugated classes. Parents constructed one classroom,” she says.

The school caters for pupils from pre-primary to Grade 4.

Regional education director Hilma Nuunyango-George says she is aware of the situation and that the school will be considered once funds become available.

However, she says the leaking roofs were not communicated to her.

“The budget is not enough to cater for all schools. We need more than 400 classrooms in the Oshikoto region,” she says.

Deputy executive director for schools and formal education Edda Bohn says the ministry is hard at work alleviating these circumstances by creating conducive environments and constructing new classrooms and schools.

“There are quite a number of such schools but I don’t have the figures at the moment …. There are close to 2 000 classrooms that are not permanent structures,” she says.

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