A lack of basic necessities at Ombaka Mobile Primary School in Kunene's Epupa Circuit is severely hampering the delivery of quality education.

These include a lack of classrooms, chairs, desks, stationery, and food.

A number of learners at Ombaka Mobile Primary School sit on the floor during the lessons as the school does not have enough tables and chairs.

Jacky Tjipuka, a teacher at the school, described the situation as not conducive to learning. "This is affecting the learners because they are getting cold. We are facing the rainy season; it's too cold. It's not good for a learner to get cold. And also, if, after getting sick, their parents stop them from coming to school, then that's a problem on top of another."

There is also a shortage of stationery because the money is being redirected to buy food to feed the learners in the mobile hostel as food for the government school feeding program arrives late.

Parents also sometimes restrict the children from going to school as they fear the children will starve.

"The learners have to overnight at school; the distances from their villages to the schools are long, and there are no government hostels; most of these hostels are community hostels, and please, whoever is able to, I'm urging them to come on board and assist," added Tjipuka.

The Epupa Circuit Inspector, Joshua Shikongo, said the directorate and inspectorate have since submitted procurement paperwork for 3,500 desks and 2,500 chairs, but they are still waiting.

On food, Shikongo said learners receive one meal per day as opposed to three meals.

He also acknowledged the late arrival of government food for the school feeding program.

"Ombaka is not really a new unit; it's been in existence for quite some time, and I'm sure that there have been some chairs and desks. Perhaps the need arises as the number of learners grows."

The Inspector is appealing to those who can assist in meeting the government halfway, to do so.