Schools in the coastal towns of Swakopmund and Walvis Bay are overwhelmed with the number of pupils to be admitted, with parents still queuing up for applications.

Parents and guardians were observed flocking to schools at Swakopmund and Walvis Bay, hoping to have their children placed in Pre-Primary to Grade 11.

After a well-deserved rest, the holiday season has ended, and parents across the country have hit the roads in search of stationery, school outfits, or, in some cases, placement.

Acting principal of Atlantic Junior Secondary School, Gebhardt Endjala, says the school turned down many hopefuls during this past week, when teachers returned to school.

There simply is no more room to accommodate more children, Endjala says.

As is, he says the school is overcrowded with classrooms of 48 children and more than one teacher.

The principal of Coastal High School, Calvin Martin, says the Erongo Region is grappling with space at schools.

As parents now race against time trying to place their children, he says the late applications are putting pressure on the school system.

The government recently built two more schools in Erongo, one of which accommodates close to 1,505 learners.

The other is only set to become operational by March this year.