The Ministry of Education has agreed to construct a school at the site where learners are currently being taught under trees in Ndama East, Rundu.
The decision followed an intervention by Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare after discussions between the community and authorities reached a stalemate.
The Prime Minister said that as part of the government's strategic plan, compliance and accountability when it comes to service delivery are a must.
The Minister of Education, Sanet Steenkamp, has joined efforts to decongest schools in five regions, starting in Kavango East.
Steenkamp stated that they have reached a consensus to resolve the illegal school issue in Ndama East, which has been making headlines for years.
"Today, we experienced effective leadership and decision-making, demonstrating that consensus was reached at all levels of government, local, authority, regional, and national. Additionally, we received the allocation of land that our ministry requested," said Steenkamp.
The school will comprise 25 classrooms, an administrative block, and four ablution facilities. For now, tents will be provided as a temporary measure, and the school will have full access to water in the next two weeks.
"I hope that thereafter, MTC and telecom will put up Wi-Fi. I am putting them on the spot, and then NoRED must put up electricity. This is a serious point, though. I've learnt that there are many black spots around Rundu. That is unacceptable. I will speak to my deputy PM; he is also the minister responsible for electricity," said Dr. Ngurare.
25 teaching positions will be available, and the volunteer teachers at the school are free to apply and compete in the interview process.
"First, we will not compromise the office of the PM, who is responsible for national recruitment as per the Public Servants Act. What must be very clear is we will not allow any mass recruiting of teachers to take place because it's against the law."
The school, which started off as illegal, is now going to be formalised, but the leadership said this should not set a precedent for illegal structures.
Apart from visiting the Ndama East Primary School, the prime minister also engaged the regional leadership on plans to build a new intermediate hospital for Rundu.