President Hage Geingob says he is dismayed with reports of some learners being taught under trees while waiting on the government to construct additional classrooms.
Since the start of the 2023 academic year, images of children taught under trees at some schools and at times amid pouring rain have exposed the urgent need for additional school infrastructure.
President Geingob says this is a concern for all but questions why the schools' management does not consider more conducive strategies for teaching.
"Let the students start their lessons. The other thing I saw that is now prominent is that children are being taught under the trees. I was traveling in this country, and I had not seen that before, and teachers are not doing their best with their hands. They say the government is not here. I gave one example of a school a long time ago, saying, 'we don't have a kitchen, so that's where we cook'. I looked at this person and I said, 'Yes, while you are waiting for the government, why don't you put one pole here, one pole there, one pole here and one there, and put blikkies on top? At the very least, you'll be cooking, and it won't be wet while you wait for the government.' In Tsumkwe, we were looking at something belonging to the government, and outside it was dirty, and we were told, 'We are waiting for the government to clean up.' I said, 'You are waiting for someone from Windhoek to come clean up?' These are realities. No initiatives to mobilize at least the learners to clean up. What happened?"
A consultative meeting of various stakeholders in the education sector, including Cabinet Ministers, Governors, Executive Directors, and Regional Directors of education and youth organizations, is expected to be held.
This follows President Geingob's meeting with the Minister of Education, Arts, and Culture, Anna Nghipondoka, last month.
The performance of grade 11 and 12 learners during the 2022 academic year, where 80% did not qualify for enrollment at tertiary institutions, remains under scrutiny.
"That is why we are going to meet to share opinions, to share what direction we can follow, and to revisit what happened. Is it that bad, or is it the presentation? True, it is bad, but how do we present it? So I will be informing you. Two ministers already approached me, and one wanted her own kind of consultation, as the higher education minister wanted, but I said to combine the two and open it under my stewardship for everybody to discuss. This doesn't stop other things from happening. Some are saying 'meetings, meetings' but meetings are necessary. Maybe the worst thing is not implementation."