Classes have been suspended at Satotwa Junior Primary School near Rundu for nearly a week now.

Parents claim that this is due to the principal's mistreatment of their children.

Since last Monday, more than 140 learners from Satotwa Junior Primary School in the Mankupi Constituency of the Kavango West Region have been absent from classes.

The school accommodates students from pre-primary to grade five.

Parents say the conflict with the principal began in February 2021, describing his behaviour as unkind.

At a meeting held with representatives from the Directorate of Education, the parents demanded the removal of the principal from the school and the community.

The parents also want the removal of a teacher who has an alleged close relationship with the principal.

Pontianus Musore, the Director of Education for Kavango West Region, stated that the purpose of the meeting was to listen to the parents' perspective.

He added that the ministry will make a final decision only after conducting thorough investigations.

With the principal and one teacher on forced leave, the school will have only three teachers to handle at least one hundred and forty learners.

Musore says a meeting will be convened after the investigation with the parents on September 8 to discuss the final decision based on the investigation findings.