Parents in Walvis Bay are concerned about Grade 1 placements for 2027, with some saying they have not yet received feedback on whether their children have been accepted at schools.
The Namib Times received a complaint from a concerned parent who said that parents had submitted applications but were still waiting for answers. The uncertainty has left families worried about their children’s schooling and unsure about what steps to take next.
In a telephonic interview with the Namib Times, Education Inspector Theresia Goagoses acknowledged the challenges facing the region, saying that overcrowded schools and a shortage of classroom space were making it difficult to accommodate the growing number of learners. More applications than available places. Goagoses confirmed that Walvis Bay had received 2 218 Grade 1 application forms for 2027. According to the figures she provided, 1 106 places were initially available, while 958 learners had been enrolled. This leaves 1 260 applicants who had not yet been placed at the time of the interview.
Goagoses said the number of applications was higher than in previous years, with population growth and migration contributing to the increased demand for school places. She explained that the first phase of capturing and verifying applications had been completed. Schools had also completed their placements, after which the circuit office carried out a reconciliation process to prevent learners from being placed at more than one school. However, she confirmed that the overall admission process had not yet been finalised. According to Goagoses, the Ministry of Education’s annual admission calendar scheduled Grade 1 placement notifications for July 2026. She said all public schools in Walvis Bay had issued acceptance letters. However, some parents who contacted the Namib Times said they were still waiting for communication about their children’s placements.
Goagoses acknowledged that finding places for all learners remained a challenge. She said she had met with school principals on Tuesday, 13 October, but the meeting had not produced a satisfactory solution. “I am compiling a report to submit to the acting regional director, latest by Friday, 16 October 2026, for an amicable solution to this matter,” she said. Goagoses also pointed out that the 645 learners currently enrolled in pre-primary would have to be accommodated in Grade 1 next year, together with learners who may have to repeat Grade 1. This would add further pressure to the available classroom space. She said there were no classrooms available to accommodate all the learners and confirmed that all schools in Kuisebmund were operating on a platoon system, where different groups of learners use the same school facilities at different times of the day. Goagoses assured parents that every eligible child would be placed, provided space was available. However, she acknowledged that overcrowding and the shortage of classrooms remained major challenges and said she was preparing a report for the acting regional director to seek a solution.
Parents who have not received communication about their applications are advised to remain patient, ensure that the contact details they submitted are correct and keep their phones reachable. Goagoses advised parents who have still not received communication by the end of November to visit the Walvis Bay Circuit Office for assistance. She also urged parents not to move from one school to another in search of a place, explaining that multiple applications could create duplication in the system and complicate the placement process.
According to Goagoses, the high number of applications and the need to verify applications submitted to different schools had extended the processing time. For parents, knowing where their children will attend school next year is important for planning ahead and preparing for the new school year. While the Directorate has acknowledged the pressure on schools and the shortage of classroom space, families who have not yet received confirmation are still waiting for clarity on their children’s placements. The figures provided by Goagoses show the extent of the challenge facing Walvis Bay, with the number of applications exceeding the initial number of available places.
The Directorate has thanked parents for their patience and cooperation and encouraged those who need further assistance to contact the Walvis Bay Circuit Office.
By Eileen van der Schyff
