Schools in Zambezi in critical and dilapidated condition – Samupwa

Deputy chairperson of the parliamentary standing committee on education, youth, civic relations and community development Austin Samupwa says many schools in the Zambezi region are in a critical and dilapidated condition.

Samupwa, a former regional director for education and now a member of parliament, states that the condition is so dire that the committee he co-chairs observed pupils being taught in overcrowded classrooms, and under trees.

The former teacher was speaking at the inauguration of a newly constructed three-classroom block, a renovated administration block, refurbished classrooms, and two teachers’ houses at Schuckmansburg Combined School in the Zambezi region on Friday.

“This occasion marks not only a celebration of progress but also a reaffirmation of government’s commitment to improving access to quality education for all Namibian children, regardless of geography or circumstances,” he said.

He said his team spent four days in the Zambezi region conducting parliamentary oversight visits to various development projects implemented under the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture.

The purpose was to “evaluate and assess the level of execution of capital projects across identified regions; hold consultations with regional education officials, school administrators, teachers and community leaders; gather feedback on the impact of projects and the challenges faced; and assess maintenance plans, staffing and resource provisioning.”

The committee visited several schools including Muzii Combined School, Mpukalo Primary School, Nakabolelwa Combined School and Izimwe Primary School.

At the inauguration ceremony, Samupwa said Schuckmansburg Combined School is among the fortunate institutions in the region to receive much-needed infrastructure improvements, hence the development should represent a renewed sense of hope, dignity, and opportunity for pupils and educators alike.

He urged teachers to provide a conducive environment to deliver quality education while encouraging pupils to grow and ensure that their potential is realised.

With a school population of over 700 pupils, the school also has four hostel blocks constructed at a cost of N$106 million.

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