‘Stop chasing away pupils who failed last year’

Outjo circuit inspector Thomas Nuuyoma Amutenya says he is disappointed by other regions refusing admission to their pupils who failed last year.

“We are disappointed by some regions who refuse admission to their pupils. If other regions don’t want their failures, we don’t have space for them,” Amutenya told The Namibian on Tuesday.

Amutenya emphasised that the Outjo circuit will first admit pupils from the region, and only then will pupils from other regions be admitted.

“It’s very disappointing for schools who chase their pupils away because of failure,” Amutenya added.

According to him, there are no pupils on the waiting list at the Outjo circuit and by Friday all pupils will be placed in various schools.

This comes as large number of pupils are transferring to the region.

The admission process is going well at Khorixas, with only Outjo schools being bombarded by pupils seeking admission from other regions.

Interviews were done for two principal positions, while vacancies for teaching posts have also been advertised.

Parents were urged to apply for their children when applications opened.

Sam Nujoma Primary School, based at Terrace Bay, was opened this year after it was closed during Covid-19 due to parents either getting retrenched or losing their jobs from the Namibia Wildlife Resorts.

Petrus Shipalenga, acting director for education in the Kunene region, says that they will first give preference to pupils from their region and if space is available, those from other regions.

“If our space is limited, it’s advisable for that region to take their own children. We will first take our children who are transferred,” Shipalenga says.

However, Shipalenga says the Education Act of 2023 allows pupils to transfer within or outside their regions without limitations.

Education executive director Sanet Steenkamp says, “They must remember that regions first responsibility is towards their own children.”

Steenkamp says she has not spoken to Amutenya, however, every region has to secure space first and foremost for the children within that region.