The Otjozondjupa Regional Education Directorate says it is better prepared to accommodate learners for the 2026 academic year, despite ongoing placement challenges in some towns.

Otjozondjupa Education Director Gerhard Ndafenongo said while most learners have been placed, about 165 in the Okahandja Circuit have not secured placement.

Plans are already underway, according to Ndafenongo, to accommodate all affected learners in the region.

He says the directorate is currently constructing a new school at Ekunde Extension in Okahandja, which is expected to be completed by May this year.

"In the meantime, we will register all these children and make arrangements with a local school in Okahandja for them to attend in the afternoon as a separate cohort with their own principal; once the new school is completed, they will transition to Ekunde."

To further ease pressure on existing schools, Ndafenongo said additional classrooms have already been completed in various parts of the region. 

Two classrooms were added at Okahandja Primary School, two at KW von Marees Combined School, and another two at KJ Kapeue Combined School in Ovitoto.

At Grootfontein, construction is ongoing, with three classrooms under construction at Luiperdheuwel Primary School, three at Makalani Primary School, and ten new classrooms being built at Grootfontein Primary School.

"Here in Otjiwarongo, we are successful with the construction of a classroom at the Orwetoveni Project Secondary School and the Otjiwarongo Project Primary School. So we are adding eight classrooms. We are also completing phase 2, which includes administration offices, labs and so on."

Ndafenongo has meanwhile urged parents still seeking placement for their children to follow the correct procedures. 

Parents are encouraged to first visit nearby schools and obtain a letter of regret if there is no available space.

That letter, together with the child's documentation, should then be submitted to the Office of the Education Inspector for further assistance.