Hundreds of learners from High Hope Primary School in Walvis Bay were sent home following an ongoing water and sanitation dispute at a newly established senior primary school in Kuisebmond Walvis Bay.
High Hope Primary School has an enrolment of nearly 2 000 learners. Of these, more than 500 Grade 4 and Grade 5 learners, taught by about 17 teachers, were allocated to the new senior primary site. However, the facility currently has no functional water supply, toilets, or electricity, making it impossible for teaching and learning to continue safely.
As a result, the school decided that learners assigned to the new site should remain at home until the problem is resolved. Parents of learners from twelve Grade 4 and 5 classes were informed on Wednesday that the school is addressing the issue, particularly the water connection, and that they will be contacted once progress is made. Disappointed parents expressed concern, no-ting that the sanitation problem has existed since last year and should have been resolved earlier. During a meeting with the school principal, parents were told that learners might have to stay at home until further notice due to the non-functional toilets. Some parents rejected this option, arguing that every learning hour is critical and calling the situation unacceptable.
Walvis Bay Circuit Education Inspector Theresia Goagoses confirmed that the school principal had informed her about the parent meeting and the decision to temporarily keep learners at home. “I requested the principal to submit a written report so that I can process the matter with my supervisors and see how quickly we can resolve the issue,” Goagoses said. She explained that the water meter currently installed at the school belongs to the building contractor, who has reportedly refused to pay for the school’s water usage. The contractor has requested that the municipality install a permanent meter registered under the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture. Goagoses said the issue would be handled urgently. “We will communicate with the planning division immediately.
Although our director is currently in Windhoek, the acting director and my supervisor will expedite the process so that the water connection can be completed and learners can return to school as soon as possible.” She apologised for the inconvenience, adding that earlier communication might have prevented the delay. High Hope Primary School principal Monde Kolofu said the situation has severely affected teaching and learning. “We lose a lot of teaching time because learners and teachers have to walk to the main school just to use the toilets. This has affected our pass rate,” she said. Kolofu confirmed that a formal letter has been submitted to the circuit inspector’s office and that the school is awaiting feedback.
By Rudi Bowe
