‘No crisis in Kavango East education’

The Kavango East Directorate of Education in the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture has denied reports by lawmakers of an education crisis in the region.

The directorate says it is currently dealing with challenges such as the need to expand schools at Rundu, Ndiyona and Divindu.

The parliamentary standing committee on human resources and community development has so far engaged the directorate and other stakeholders on matters of education in the region, with some lawmakers saying a crisis is clearly unfolding.

However, the directorate, led by Christine Shilima, says it is faced with the challenge of renovating infrastructure.

“For example, the Dr Kampungu hostel block is closed and need renovations. In addition, Max Makushe SSS also requires major renovations,” the directorate says.

“Every education system has its own challenges. Ours is no exception. That’s why education systems undergo reform.

“Inclusive education means ending segregation or the deliberate exclusion of individuals or groups on the grounds of academic performance, gender, race, culture, religion, lifestyle, health condition or disability.

“This means no pupil should be left out . . . We need a special school, which, as per our inclusive policy, are resource schools . . . every region is to have a resource school,” the directorate says.

Lawmakers have been told that a request for special schools has been made, but funds are limited.

Kavango East lawmaker Utaara Mootu earlier this week said of the 61 schools catering to pupils from grades 10 to 12, 28 do not have laboratory facilities, and 11 are inadequately equipped.

“This leaves only 22 schools with functional laboratories. A significant backlog of textbooks has accumulated over the past two to three years, with no new supplies reaching schools during this period.

“Despite hostel capacity for 500 pupils, this year they were compelled to accommodate 1 200, forcing some pupils to rent unsupervised accommodation,” she said.