Maria David
SINCE its completion, hostel needs at Omungwelume Secondary School in the Ohangwena Region continues to be catered to by the parents, with no help from the ministry of education.
In 2019, now Minister of Education Anna Nghipondoka promised that once the hostel was completed she will ensure that it was registered and that assistance will be given. A promise Nghipondoka still has not delivered on.
The hostel was completed in 2020 but is still not registered, leaving the school to source funds from friends of education to feed 256 learners accommodated there.
School principal George Nanghanda said if the ministry does not include the hostel in their financial budget this year, “it might be better for us to move out of Ohangwena Region and be part of Omusati Region”.
“Maybe it’s because we are at the edge of the region that we are never considered by the directorate,” he said.
Nanghanda indicated that they currently face the challenges of no food or cooking utensils such as pots, a stove and firewood.
“We drive as far as Omusati Region to fetch firewood as learners’ food is prepared on the fire outside under a small corrugated shelter,” Nanghanda added.
Nanghanda said the learners moved into the school hostel in 2021 after the parents and caregivers decided to fund the hostel themselves.
In response, education director Isak Hamatwi said the ministry budgeted for a subsidy from 1 April for purchasing hostel food and payments for workers.
Hamatwi stated that the directorate has also availed more than N$600 000 for purchasing hostel utensils.
“A contract has already been awarded the tender for purchasing of the needed utensils. We are only waiting for delivery,” he added.
Hamatwi said the school is expected to receive 30 tables and 60 brunch tables to cater for the learners.
Nanghanda said if the Ministry again does not deliver on its promise, “we will move to Omusati Region and hopefully get assistance”.
