Outrage as Katjinakatji pupils write final exams standing

Some Grade 8 pupils at Katjinakatji Senior Secondary School in the Kavango West region are writing their final examinations without proper chairs or desks, forcing them to stand or use broken furniture.

The situation has angered community members.

Residents who spoke on condition of anonymity express frustration over the conditions under which pupils are sitting for their exams.

“It feels a little like child abuse, having these pupils stand or bend over for an hour or more. The school’s management can do better,” one community member says.

In October, Nampa reported that the school was experiencing a severe shortage of desks and chairs, particularly for Grades 1 to 8, as well as for teachers. Many pupils were seen sitting on broken chairs propped up with bricks, using bricks as desks, sitting on old cupboards, standing throughout the day or kneeling on bare floors.

A teacher interviewed in October, Nietz Mnangagwa, said the shortage has worsened this year. He noted that although the principal only assumed duty in July, he was aware of the problem.

At the time, principal Sebedeus Sihungu said the school had surrendered about 797 broken chair frames for repair at Mpungu and expected the same number of repaired chairs, along with 149 desks, within two weeks. However, the shortage remains.

Kavango West regional education director Pontianus Musore said on Thursday night that 100 repaired chairs have since been returned, with more expected on Friday.

– Nampa

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