The mushrooming of unregistered primary schools at Rundu has become worrisome for the Kavango East Directorate of Education, Arts and Culture.

At least three schools with a combined total of more than five-hundred learners are said to be operating illegally and without the approval of the Ministry.

Our news team visited the Tuhingireni Project School started by 20 volunteer teachers who are unemployed.

Secretary to the project Wezzy Mafwila says the idea of starting a school was welcomed by parents whose children walked long distances to schools.

Mafwila says unemployment was not their only motivation, but rather to bring education closer to the Namibian child.

Treasurer Nekulilo Ruben called on the business community, and individuals to invest in the project for the benefit of the children.

"The are some donors that approached us that they want to help but some of them want a recommendation letter from the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture for them to acknowledge the existence of the school, once they give them a greenlight they can go ahead and help the school."

About 120 learners are now enrolled at the school, where lessons are conducted in makeshift structures.

Contacted for comment, Acting Deputy Director Muhongo Mateya says the consequences are that learners at such schools will not receive valid promotion reports, as the school has no code.

Mateya says each school, be it private or public, must be approved by the Ministry before it can enroll learners.

He urged parents to confirm the status of such schools before sending their children there.