WINDHOEK, September 2 — The Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture (MEIYSAC) has noted recent discussions on social media regarding the Ndama School in Rundu, Kavango East Region. The Ministry wishes to set the record straight and reaffirm its constitutional and legal mandate to provide quality education for every Namibian child.
During consultations with the community, the Ministry reiterated that the Constitution of the Republic of Namibia and the Basic Education Act 3 of 2020, clearly outline the State’s responsibility to provide education and prescribe the lawful procedures for the establishment of schools.
The Ndama South site, measuring 75,000m?, was legally allocated to the Ministry by the Rundu Town Council for the construction of a new school. In contrast, the Ndama East site, (currently occupied by some members of the community as a school) is not legally registered. The two sites are only 900 metres apart, which falls within accepted planning standards for school establishment.
In August 2023, the Ministry completed the construction of the new school at Ndama South. The facilities comprise 14 classrooms a n d two ablution blocks, which m e e t the required standards for teaching and learning. Registration of the new school began in September 2023. However, despite the availability of these facilities, some members of the community continue to resist relocating learners to the registered government school, insisting that the Ministry should endorse an unregistered facility at Ndama East on the grounds of convenience a n d personal preference.
It is worth noting that the Kavango East Region currently has a total of 189 government schools, all of which are legally registered a n d properly managed to ensure learners have access to quality education. The Ndama South school forms part of this wider government commitment to expandaccess to education across the region.
The Ministry wishes to emphasise that unregistered schools, such as the one currently operating at Ndama East, are unlawful, compromise the quality of education, and Al official correspondence must be addressed to the Accounting Officer/Executive Director require urgent redress. To address this, the Ministry will guide regional offices on the closure of unregistered schools and seek legal advice to ensure the process is managed in line with the law. Furthermore, MEIYSAC will continue to work closely with local authorities to ensure that land is properly allocated for schools in newly developed townships.
While the Ministry acknowledges the concerns of some members of the Ndama community, it stresses that all school construction projects must comply with legal provisions and prioritise fairness, sustainability, and the long-term interests of learners. The in sup therefore Celay est tished school at thema sour in the best interest of current and future generations of learners.
