The acting principal of Minna Sachs Primary School says registration contributions are meant to fund the school's daily operations, not to exclude any learner.
Viviaan Hangula's explanation comes after parents expressed fears about re-registration fees and delays in learner placements.
Parents in Keetmanshoop are worried that their children remain on school waiting lists on the first day of the academic year.
The NBC News team visited several schools and spoke to parents who shared concerns about registration fees and placement delays.
The ||Kharas Education Director, Nicolaas Eiman, says it is all systems go when the new academic year starts on Monday.
Eiman told NBC News that both urban and rural schools are ready for the 2026 academic year despite some challenges.
The NBC News team also hit the busy streets of Keetmanshoop to find out how families are handling the expense of school supplies.
It is only a few days before the re-opening of the schools; parents and guardians are making the last-minute trips to cross things off their back-to-school shopping lists.
A Keetmanshoop-based craftsman, Johannes Munkitji says he makes ends meet through handicraft, a skill passed down to him from his late father.
Munkitji says he earns an income by carving tables, chairs, bowls, and ornaments, which he has done for 30 years now.
The Governor of ||Kharas region, Dawid Gertze, has set goals for 2026 that focus on initiatives aimed at enhancing the lives of the inhabitants.
The Keetmanshoop Municipality Traffic Department has issued 25 fines since the start of the festive season, compared to over 40 in the same period last year.
The NBC News team in Keetmanshoop spoke to families enjoying Family Day at local recreational facilities, where they gathered for outdoor activities and quality time together.
Vice President Lucia Witbooi attended a Christmas Eve luncheon with the elders in Gibeon to celebrate the festive season and share in the spirit of unified community.
The luncheon was hosted by the newly elected Gibeon village council, with over 60 individuals were in attendance.
Police in the ||Kharas Region have stepped up festive operations by deploying officers to help prevent crime and ensure public safety during the Christmas period.
