Parents of learners at Thipanana Junior Primary School in Kavango East's Mukwe Constituency are calling for a holiday school during the winter trimester break.

This is because the learners did not allegedly have lessons since the beginning of the year, as they had only one teacher.

The parents gathered in front of the school gate to air their grievances to the media, saying their children would not meet promotional standards if no remedies were implemented.

Thipapana School had three teachers last year, of whom two have since retired but were not replaced.

"Our main concern is that, since January, our kids have not had any lessons up until now. As we are standing here, the question is: what are they going to write in the coming examinations? What will the new teachers put in the report cards for the learners?"

The Directorate of Education, Arts, and Culture has since appointed the replacement teachers who were introduced to the school this week.

However, the parents believe the learners lost a lot of learning time, which will affect them in later grades.

"Even this holiday, they must use it to teach. I am quite sure that all the parents will be happy about that because what they want is for their children to pass. We want the director and the ministry to make sure that they address this situation."

Contacted for comment, the Inspector of Education in the Mukwe Circuit, Theophelus Kadhimo, says a team of senior education officers is working with the appointed teachers on strategies to catch up on the lost time.

Kadhimo says the holiday school intervention is not on the table for now but assures the parents that the Directorate is doing everything possible to ensure that learners are not disadvantaged.