The Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts, and Culture has installed prepaid water meters at schools in Okahandja. 

Minister Sanet Steenkamp provided this information in the National Assembly in response to a question posed by Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) MP Rosa Mbinge regarding the lack of water supplies at schools in Okahandja.

"This utility's efficiency initiative was launched on the 29th of November, 2023, and it was implemented by the Otjozondjupa Education Directorate from November 2024 as part of our national conference and education implementation plan towards cost-saving measures. But contrary to claims by our Honourable Mbinge, schools have not experienced water shortages, and the regional office continues to purchase water units as needed, ensuring uninterrupted supply."

She clarified that, in the event of scarcity, schools were initially advised to temporarily procure water units if meters had been installed before the procurement process was finalised.

"We issued instructions to schools to wait for monthly allocations, and no reports of unaddressed shortages have been received. The Directorate continues to issue letters to the schools following up, but this project is really saving the Ministry of Education a lot of money since we started with prepaid electricity and prepaid water meters. So at this point, what we can state confidently is that the project is running smoothly, with most schools satisfied."