More than 250 pupils who applied for admission to Grade 8 are still awaiting placement in the Swakopmund circuit.
Speaking to Nampa on Wednesday, Swakopmund circuit inspector Chris Eixab said this is because the secondary schools which these 253 pupils have applied to, have not yet responded regarding their acceptance or rejection.
“We are currently prioritising resolving this issue and by next week, we aim to ensure that all pupils transitioning from primary to secondary schools are placed, as this is our primary responsibility,” Eixab said.
Eixab identified Grade 8 as a critical bottleneck due to insufficient school spaces and a backlog despite ongoing efforts to construct more schools.
To improve the registration process, he emphasised the need for better communication with parents, particularly regarding the acceptance or rejection of applications.
“What we want to learn from last year is the importance of communicating with parents in a timely manner. If a child is not accepted, parents should know before year-end so they can approach the education office for advice,” Eixab said.
The circuit inspector also urged parents to consider enrolling their children in schools with hostel facilities within the region.
“Schools such as Tubusis Primary School and Walfrieden Primary School outside Omaruru have hostel accommodation, but many parents hesitate due to the distance and associated costs. We, however, need to sensitise parents to the benefits of hostel schools, particularly for vulnerable children whose parents work long hours,” he explained.
The education circuit, according to Eixab, wants to resolve the placement issues by strengthening collaboration with stakeholders, including parents, educators, and political leaders.
He concluded by emphasising the importance of fostering independence in pupils and encouraging parents to take advantage of hostel schools for the benefit of their children’s education.
There are over 90 schools in the entire Erongo region.
– Nampa
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