Parents of grade one-pupils at Okeendapa Combined School in Omusati's Otamanzi constituency are calling on the Minister of Education Arts and Culture to create a grade-one teaching post.

There are about 61 grade one pupils at the school this year with seven more on the waiting list .

The number is higher than the teacher\learner ratio.

When the school resumed this year, grade one parents decided to keep their children home until appointment of a second grade-one teacher an extra grade.

The enrolment figure this year requires that grade one students be split into two classes, for more conducive teaching.

The school Principal says that, should another teacher be availed, the school has five more classrooms that can be used to accommodate an additional class.

SISAMU FABIAN 
Principal: Okeendapa Combined School
only now we have to go normal in terms of teaching and learning that is why this problem is seen but even last year in grade one we had 58 learners but because we were using the time based cohort were learners come on alternate days so it was a lesser problem but that affected teaching and learning because when these learners were not at school it means they were send on island. 

Parents, accompanied by their children who failed to obtain placement in grade one, marched to the office of the Inspector for Otamanzi, where they handed over their petition.

The parents are calling on the Education Minister Anna Nghipondoka to give them a positive answer, saying their children cannot continue to stay home.

LAIMI AMBUNDA
Group Spokesperson
Omilandu adhihe otwedhilandula
Translation: we followed all the procedures, the school principal communicated our request for an extra teacher since last year and this year, the school board also took the matter to the office of education director but not positive answer was given thus far. 

Their petition was received by Acting Inspector for Otamanzi, Victor Shaninga who promised to forward it to the relevant authorities.

VICTOR SHININGA
Acting Education Inspector: Otamanzi Circuit
find an amicable solution for our grade-1 and there was no solution yet I understand learners are still kept at home not attending school and that is a big lost for teaching and learning. 

In response, Omusati Education Director Ben Eiseb says demonstrating will not create a vacancy, neither is it a solution to the problem.

He added that his response on the matter was already communicated to the parents and the school principal