The Dobe Primary School in Tsumkwe is faced with a high incidence of teacher and learner absenteeism, as well as a lack of good infrastructure and furniture.

The School Board Chairperson, |Ui Jolo, told nbc News that such challenges are hampering lessons.

The one-block village school, which was built six years ago, accommodates 37 San-speaking learners between grades one and three.

The school has no proper kitchen or dining area, ablution facilities, fence around the school, or teacher's house.

"During the winter, children drop out of school because it is cold. Children do not have winter clothes. Some children drop out of school during the devil's claw harvest season, when they follow their parents to eat bush food. The performance of children is very poor here, especially in grade 1."

The school feeding programmeme is supported by the Ju|hoansi Development Foundation programmeme, but parcels do not last the whole month.

Although the school has a garden, it has limited access to water.

"We urge the government to help the school with diesel so water can be pumped for the garden. We rely on community members for diesel, but it doesn't last, and we stay sometimes for three days without water for watering the garden and water to cook for the learners," added Jolo.

A teacher at the school, Derek Kashe, said teachers are sometimes absent as they need to travel over 50 kilometres to Tsumkwe to make copies of teaching materials.

"This school is far from Tsumkwe; we don't have a network. If we had electricity, it would be possible to have a photocopy machine, so if we do something, we can just copy for the learners to trace their work."

Otjozondjupa Education's Acting Director said the directorate has instructed that the Tsumkwe Mobile School principal be more visible at the school as a means to address absenteeism.

Uerivangera Tjivikua also urged teachers to fill in their leave requests whenever such events occur.

On food rations, Tjivikua said there was a delay, but food would be delivered this week.