Kavango West school classroom on the verge of collapse
A single structure at Naingopo Junior Primary School in the Kavango West Region, which serves as an administration office, classroom and storage room, is on the verge of collapse.
Established in 1978, the school is located approximately 80 kilometres from Rundu in the Ncuncuni constituency.
During a visit to the school, Namibian Sun's reporter observed extensive cracks on the walls of the brick structure. Teachers expressed their fear that the building might collapse at any time, posing a risk to both the learners and teachers.
In addition to the dilapidated building, the school faces other challenges, including the fact that teachers have to use the bushes when nature calls, as the two available toilets are designated for the learners.
Myriad challenges
The school also requires a proper fence, as livestock frequently enters the premises, posing a distraction to the learners.
Moreover, some of the learners have to walk a combined distance of 12 kilometres on a daily basis to and from school.
This reporter also observed how the learners lacked proper school uniforms, with some wearing sandals and torn clothes to school.
The school, offering pre-primary to grade 3, has approximately 66 learners. Teachers Roide Nangombe and Johanna Chilunda shared their experiences at the school.
“As you saw, the school is faced with a number of challenges. The only brick structure that is supposed to be our office block has been turned into a classroom, yet at the same time it is where we store the school feeding programme food,” the teachers remarked.
“The building is also old, and when it’s windy, the corrugated iron sheets do fall off the roof. You saw the cracks on the wall. We are teaching in that classroom, but we sometimes fear that it will collapse on us."
Dreaming of a better future
They said: “It is our dream to teach in a better environment. We are trying our best to educate the children, but the environment is not favourable. We hope that our cries will be heard."
The teachers applauded the assistance they get from the community, saying that parents do assist when needed.
The teachers urged good Samaritans to assist the school in any way possible.
No money
When contacted for comment, Kavango West education director Pontianus Musore said there are plans to renovate the structure, but due to limited funding, it cannot be done at the moment.
“The classroom structure at Naingopo JP is one of the donated structures in the region. It was constructed by a non-governmental organisation in 1999. There are plans to renovate these structures; however, due to limited funds, we are unable to do so at the moment,” he said.
“We shall attend to this structure as soon as funding is available. We are also requesting friends of education to assist in this regard.”
- [email protected]
Established in 1978, the school is located approximately 80 kilometres from Rundu in the Ncuncuni constituency.
During a visit to the school, Namibian Sun's reporter observed extensive cracks on the walls of the brick structure. Teachers expressed their fear that the building might collapse at any time, posing a risk to both the learners and teachers.
In addition to the dilapidated building, the school faces other challenges, including the fact that teachers have to use the bushes when nature calls, as the two available toilets are designated for the learners.
Myriad challenges
The school also requires a proper fence, as livestock frequently enters the premises, posing a distraction to the learners.
Moreover, some of the learners have to walk a combined distance of 12 kilometres on a daily basis to and from school.
This reporter also observed how the learners lacked proper school uniforms, with some wearing sandals and torn clothes to school.
The school, offering pre-primary to grade 3, has approximately 66 learners. Teachers Roide Nangombe and Johanna Chilunda shared their experiences at the school.
“As you saw, the school is faced with a number of challenges. The only brick structure that is supposed to be our office block has been turned into a classroom, yet at the same time it is where we store the school feeding programme food,” the teachers remarked.
“The building is also old, and when it’s windy, the corrugated iron sheets do fall off the roof. You saw the cracks on the wall. We are teaching in that classroom, but we sometimes fear that it will collapse on us."
Dreaming of a better future
They said: “It is our dream to teach in a better environment. We are trying our best to educate the children, but the environment is not favourable. We hope that our cries will be heard."
The teachers applauded the assistance they get from the community, saying that parents do assist when needed.
The teachers urged good Samaritans to assist the school in any way possible.
No money
When contacted for comment, Kavango West education director Pontianus Musore said there are plans to renovate the structure, but due to limited funding, it cannot be done at the moment.
“The classroom structure at Naingopo JP is one of the donated structures in the region. It was constructed by a non-governmental organisation in 1999. There are plans to renovate these structures; however, due to limited funds, we are unable to do so at the moment,” he said.
“We shall attend to this structure as soon as funding is available. We are also requesting friends of education to assist in this regard.”
- [email protected]
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